The Republic of Kosovo Central Elections Commission (CEC) entered into a new mutual cooperation agreement with IFES Kosovo. The agreement was signed by the CEC Chair, Honorable Nesrin Lushta, USAID Kosovo Mission Director, Patricia Rader, and IFES Chief of Party, Chedomir Flego, during a press conference held in Prishtina. Under the agreement, IFES will provide technical support to the CEC through a broad spectrum of initiatives in the areas of voter education and awareness, count and results center, media outreach, in addition to helping the CEC conduct efficient and transparent elections.
During the press conference, the CEC Chair mentioned the cooperative agreement formalizes the support being provided by IFES which helps the CEC staff prepare for training of observers and journalists, improve its media outreach campaigns, develop the count and results center, introduce the transmission and recording of provisional election results (SMS preliminary results) and operate a media center. The USAID Director indicated the agreement is another example of cooperation in the long standing relationship between the United States Government and the Republic of Kosovo.
The upcoming elections on November 15 will be the first time the CEC conducts local government elections in Kosovo. Previous elections were conducted by the UN and OSCE prior to Kosovo independence on February 17, 2008. IFES has been providing technical assistance in Kosovo since 1998.
