CEC adopts new decision – Kosovo Online the only media outlet denied accreditation to cover the elections

The Central Election Commission (CIK) held its 66th session today, during which it decided to accredit an additional 28 local and international media outlets to observe the local elections scheduled for 12 October. However, among all Serbian-language media, only the Kosovo Online portal was not included on the list.

Yesterday, the Central Election Commission accredited the first group of media outlets to cover the local elections on Sunday, 12 October, but none of those accredited were Serbian-language media.

At today’s session, the CIK reversed its earlier decision and granted accreditation to all Serbian-language media except Kosovo Online.

“Following the preliminary meeting of the CIK held on 9 October 2025, the Office for Registration, Certification and Financial Control of Political Entities recommended the accreditation of observer organizations after reviewing the documentation submitted with the applications and considering information obtained from sources such as the Independent Media Commission and the Press Council of Kosovo,” the CIK announced.

The Kosovo Online portal filed an appeal today with the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) against the decision of the Central Election Commission (CIK), which rejected the accreditation request for 18 of its observers.

VIM INFO, the founding company of Kosovo Online, stated in the appeal that it had fully met all the conditions prescribed by Articles 47, 48, and 49 of the relevant law, and noted that the CIK itself confirmed in the reasoning of its decision that Kosovo Online “meets all criteria for accreditation and for observing the 2025 local elections.”