UNMIK Police Briefing Notes
19 Nov 2001

ELECTION OVERVIEW

The Elections on Saturday have been declared a success, and they were.

UNMIK Police wish to publicly commend the political parties and the people of Kosovo of all ethnicities for the way this exercise in democracy was carried out in a climate of tolerance and peace.

From 1st October until 15th November, UNMIK Police recorded a total of 566 political events. We estimate that 278,339 people attended these events.

Well over a quarter of the entire population of Kosovo participated in these meetings, rallies or public gatherings to demonstrate their personal political beliefs. With such huge numbers actively and publicly supporting different political views, the near absence of violence, intimidation and conflict is remarkable.

Through the election campaign period, we arrested only about 10 persons at political events, and most of the arrests were for minor offences such as fighting.

On election day itself, there were very few incidents requiring police action. In Pec three persons attempting to use a stolen OSCE Observer identity card were detained. The apparent motive was to use the card to avoid waiting the queue to vote rather than something more sinister. Three men were held in Pristina for disorderly behaviour and one arrested at Orahovac for setting off fireworks near a polling site. In Gnjilane, a male attending a polling station was found in possession of a knife and arrested. Two men were arrested in Mitrovica for fighting.

There were a few incidents involving protests being made over the issue of displaying flags. However they were resolved by the OSCE without the need for direct police action.

Our policy of respecting and trusting the people of Kosovo to conduct themselves has been proved right. There was no need for large displays of force on election day.

Upon reflection, although there are many different views expressed by many people and parties as to how Kosovo should progress into the future, this election has shown that there is widespread agreement on the means to achieve that goal. The election has brought people together and they have conducted themselves with respect for one another and for the law.