Cakolli: CEC decision to ban Serb List was expected, but has no legal basis

Senior researcher at the Kosovo Democratic Institute, Eugen Cakolli, stated that the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) to ban the participation of the Serb List in the upcoming local elections will most likely be overturned.

“What we saw yesterday at the CEC session was actually something expected. For some time now, there has been a discourse of antagonism toward the Serb List, and significant involvement of international representatives who spoke with outgoing Prime Minister Kurti and others so that political parties would not be excluded. That was a sign,” Cakolli told Kosovo Online.

He emphasized that the CEC’s decision is not based on law and will therefore most likely be annulled by the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel.

“I believe that this decision is not grounded in law and will most likely be overturned by the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel, which will probably certify the Serb List because it meets the legal criteria,” Cakolli argued.

Regarding the accusations by the Self-Determination Movement, included in the CEC’s decision, that the Serb List is a “terrorist organization,” Cakolli said such claims would require a court ruling.

“That decision would have to clearly state that this party should be denied certification. Until then, they have the legal right to participate,” Cakolli stressed.

He also believes the CEC decision is, in fact, “a favor to Serb List.”

“They will use it in the elections as propaganda to portray themselves as victims. Moreover, the CEC decision risks becoming a propaganda tool for the Serbian state on the international stage to argue that Kosovo’s institutions are not ready to allow Serbs to participate in elections,” Cakolli emphasized.