4. ORGANISATION OF THE 2004 ELECTION PROCESS
a. Regulatory framework
UNMIK Regulation 2004/12 on the Elections of the Assembly of Kosovo (UNMIK/REG/2004/12 of 5 May 2004) contains provisions governing most aspects of the 2004 election process, in accordance with the “Constitutional Framework” (including distribution of seats, voter eligibility and voters’ list, political entity certification, candidate lists, incl. guarantees for balanced gender representation, candidate eligibility, campaign spending and financial disclosures, election observers, election complaints and appeals, voter information). It also defines the campaign period 30 days before the Election.
b. The Central Election Commission (CEC)
The Central Election Commission (CEC) remains the principal regulatory body. It has an independent status, under international control. The Commission is chaired by the Head of OMiK.
The CEC is composed by representatives from the three strongest political entities representing the Kosovo Albanian community (3), from the Kosovo Serb (1), from the Turkish (1), the Bosniak and Gorani (1) communities and the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community (1) as well as from two local NGOs nominated by the Presidency of the Kosovo Assembly (2). Two more seats are reserved for internationals.
Decisions should be reached by consensus, otherwise the Chair decides on his/her own.
The CEC has responsibility for electoral rules, the voters’ list, certification of political entities and candidates, ballots, appointing members of Municipal Election Commissions, establishing polling station committees, accreditation of observers, voter awareness, publishing of election results, as well as research in relation to the electoral system and regulating coverage by news media.
By 1 September 2004 the CEC has adopted 13 Electoral Rules: 1/2004 Code of Conduct for Political Entities & their Supporters & Candidates, 2/2004 Certification of Political Entities, 3/2004 By Mail Voting, 4/2004 Candidate Certification, 5/2004 Political Entity Mailboxes, 6/2004 Electoral Process Observers, 7/2004 Municipal Election Commissions, 8/2004 Campaign Spending Limit and Financial Disclosure, 9/2004 Appointment of Polling Station Committees, 10/2004 Media during the Electoral Campaign, 11/2004 Challenge and Confirmation Period, 12/2004 Notification of Political Events and 13/2004 Polling and Counting Inside Polling stations. Several more Rules are expected in the near future.
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