Stosic: Installation of cameras one of the reasons for the boycott, recordings can be misused

Slobodan Stosic, program manager at the Center for Advocacy of Democratic Culture, stated for Kosovo Online that the installation of cameras was one of the reasons for a possible boycott of the vote on the dismissal of mayors in municipalities in the north and that Serbs were concerned that these recordings could be misused.

He emphasizes the importance of highlighting what led to the current situation, including the installation of cameras.

"They didn't even know who would manage those cameras, where the recordings would be stored, whether it would be the responsibility of the municipal election commission or if the recordings would be at the Central Election Commission. They only mentioned that institutions enforcing the law could access the recordings, which is a broad term. Personally, and also my organization, we understand the citizens' concern about being recorded and maybe something happening to them after the elections, that these recordings could be misused because these are not regular elections. If they were regular, then cameras and recording would make sense, however, in this referendum, or voting for the recall of mayors, only people who vote against the mayors will turn up. This means that those in favor of the mayor just need to stay home. People who will come out to vote are those against the mayor, so there is reason for concern," Stosic emphasized.

He adds that it is important to note that boycotting any elections has always been one of the democratic means against repression and a legitimate way of expressing dissatisfaction.

"I believe everyone has the right to vote or not vote according to their beliefs. Regarding the mayors' mandates, if the so-called referendum is unsuccessful, which seems likely, mayors would remain in office until 2025. I don't see that pressures from some European countries were stronger and could have contributed to the mayors resigning. If pressures were now increased, even if mayors were replaced, the councilors in the assemblies would remain the same, and the current councilors of the Northern Mitrovica Municipal Assembly do not reflect or realistically represent the population living here," our interlocutor states. 

When asked if there is a possibility to hold simultaneous local and extraordinary parliamentary elections if they occur, he says that such a possibility exists.

"I see that there is momentum in Pristina on this issue. Opposition parties are calling for the dismissal of Prime Minister Kurti and they are preparing for extraordinary parliamentary elections. If that happens, we can also expect extraordinary local elections," Stosic emphasizes.