McGurk: Participation of all communities in the electoral process essential for democratic stability

In response to the decision of the Central Election Commission not to certify the Serb List for participation in the October 12 local elections, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo underlined that the right to take part in free and fair elections is a cornerstone of democratic governance and a fundamental element of an inclusive political life.

“For years, the Central Election Commission has played a key role in fostering electoral standards in Kosovo. Excluding political actors undermines democratic pluralism, weakens trust in institutions, and reduces the possibility of fair representation for all communities,” OSCE Head of Mission Gerard McGurk stated on the social media platform X.

The Mission emphasized that the full and genuine participation of all communities in the electoral process is of crucial importance for long-term democratic resilience, integrity, and stability.

McGurk added that the OSCE Mission will continue to closely monitor the situation, including potential subsequent legal proceedings before the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel in response to the decision not to certify the Serb List for participation.