A damaged ballot has become the subject of a debate between a member of the Central Election Commission from the Vetëvendosje Movement, Sami Kurteshi, and a commissioner from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo. During the counting of postal ballots, CEC member Sami Kurteshi was accused by the coordinator of AAK observers of attempting to influence the declaration of the validity of a vote even though it had been damaged.
"He says it is invalid, but neither you nor he decides, they decide. If you think you have been treated unfairly, you have the right to complain to the ECAP. I cannot see the calculations, because you calculate differently, but from the position of an observer, I did not decide and there is no pressure. No one is telling you to stop and not look at them. I have influence in the CEC office, there he raised his hand. A person who does his job with honor, does not need to be held by anyone, that time has passed."
Meanwhile, the coordinator of AAK observers, Lavdim Mehani, added that three days ago, LVV observers insisted on declaring the same damaged AAK vote in Deçan invalid.
"Three days ago, LVV observers insisted on declaring an AAK vote in Deçan invalid, because it had been cut, it happened, it was declared invalid and they created that standard with that cut. According to information, Samia came to a table and told the commissioner to declare this valid, while it was the same vote, cut down. We consider it an exercise in influence or an attempt to influence to declare it valid or invalid."
Egzon Pacolli, an observer for the Democratic League of Kosovo, also described the situation that led to the clash.
"The discussion began when Mr. Kurteshi began to put pressure on the CEC members. A standard has been created here, ballots that are not complete cannot be declared valid. It started from the first day of counting, it is by decision of the ECAP since 2017 and the same Mr. Kurteshi, wanted to make the invalid vote a valid vote through pressure, then of course our reaction came. We have made it known that we are not allowed to put pressure........This has become routine, every time Kurteshi comes here there is some clash, insults".
At the Counting and Results Center, the counting of postal votes is continuing.
According to the latest update on the Central Election Commission website, as of March 3 at 00:54, 124 ballot boxes out of 187 have been counted, or 66.31 percent. (A2 Televizion)
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