The Serbian Democracy against Serbs participating in the referendum: As if it's happening in Ljubljana...

The Serbian Democracy party opposes the participation of Serbs in the referendum for the removal of mayors in the north of Kosovo, scheduled for April 21st. In their statement, they argue that they cannot support the voting due to expected numerous obstructions. They add that the mayors and council members must resign as soon as possible.

They have proposed to the OSCE to take over the organization of the referendum due to the numerous abuses and obstructions that can be expected from the Kosovo government and the Central Election Commission, but the OSCE rejected the proposal, defending itself with arguments that they cannot do so.

Furthermore, they requested that the Serbian Democracy have members on the referendum polling committees, but this request was denied with the explanation that only the DPK and Self-Determination can have committee members. However, they argue that committee members from these parties are naturally inclined to keep the mayors in power.

The referendum cannot be supported because numerous obstructions are expected, including the possibility of creating unjustifiably long queues to discourage voters, intentionally misinforming voters about their polling place, or massively declaring ballots invalid to make the referendum unsuccessful.

They also point out the possible intentional relocation of voter lists from one municipality to another, to prevent citizens from voting in their home municipalities, and mention that most polling committee members will likely not speak the Serbian language, as they will mainly be from Self-Determination, who are "therefore prone to obstruct the process and support the current illegitimate mayors to stay in power."

Additionally, they warn that polling committee members could tell voters they are not on the electoral roll, even though they are, and voters could interpret the increased presence of special units of the Kosovo Police in the northern municipalities, especially around polling stations, as pressure.

A demotivating factor is also the voting at unfamiliar polling stations, as well as small capacities and limited space, which they say makes it impossible to serve a large number of citizens voting in small rooms.

"Cameras are strange as a pilot project, but we are sure they will be used at all polling stations in the next parliamentary elections," they state in the announcement.

They also note that even with the removal of mayors, everyone else would remain in a stalemate, where council members from the Albanian community would still make key decisions.

"For us, this referendum in the four municipalities in the north will be as if it is happening in another city, say, in Ljubljana," Serbian Democracy concludes.

Serbian Democracy believes that mayors and council members must resign as soon as possible.

They also criticize the Serb List, saying it must take responsibility for its "political stunts," and it's time for them to "stop tormenting the people with their political fiascos and embarrassments."