The local election observation mission, Democracy in Action (DnV), has assessed that the findings of the Central Election Commission (CEC) from the verification of only 2 percent of polling stations for candidates' preferential votes indicate serious shortcomings in the counting process, which, according to them, undermine the credibility and integrity of the election results.
DnV emphasizes that, although the result for political entities is not in doubt, the accuracy of the vote count for candidates is an essential element of the will of the voters and an integral part of the election result.
According to this observation mission, the finding of significant differences in the votes of candidates counted in the Municipal Counting Centers, based on only a sample of 2 percent of polling stations, is an indicator of serious structural problems, excluding the possibility that these discrepancies are the result of isolated human errors.
Despite today's decision by the CEC to recount 10 percent of polling stations nationwide and recount 100 percent of polling stations in 10 municipalities – Prizren, Ferizaj, Skenderaj, Shtime, Vushtrri, Dragash, Mamushë, Kaçanik, Leposaviq and Ranillug – which account for about 36 percent of polling stations in Kosovo, DnV assesses that this measure is insufficient.
According to the DnV, recounting only one-third of polling stations could produce new complaints and requests for recounts of other polling stations, further delaying the election process.
In this context, DnV recommends a full recount of candidate votes across the country, in order to ensure the credibility of the process and restore public confidence in the election results.
The organization also requests that judicial authorities initiate investigations into all cases where there are suspicions of misuse of the counting process.
"The main goal should not be to speed up the announcement of results, but to ensure that every citizen's vote is counted correctly and is fairly reflected in the composition of future institutions," emphasizes DnV./Telegrafi.
