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Kosovo Vote Orderly, but Marred by Fraud Allegations

   VOA News 13 December 2010
   Election officials arrange ballot boxes at a counting center in Kosovo
   Polje, on Dec 13, 2010

Photo: AFP

   Election officials arrange ballot boxes at a counting center in Kosovo
   Polje, Dec 13, 2010

   A  top  EU  election  monitor said Monday that Kosovo's first national
   election  since  it  declared  independence  from Serbia was generally
   orderly,  but  marred  by  allegations  of  fraud  in the ruling prime
   minister's political stronghold.
   Doris   Pack   said   that   serious   allegations  of  fraud  in  two
   municipalities had been brought to the attention of the EU observation
   mission.  She  said, however, the reports did not "undermine the whole
   process."
   As vote-counting was underway Monday, early results put Prime Minister
   Hashim  Thaci  and  his  Democratic Party ahead with 31 percent of the
   vote  against  his  rival's 25 percent. Official results were expected
   later Monday.
   According  to election authorities, there was an unprecedented turnout
   of up to 95 percent in Mr. Thaci's region of Drenica.
   Speaking  in  Brussels,  EU  foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and
   enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele called for Kosovo authorities to
   certify the election results.
   The  EU  officials  said  in  a  statement  that there was "much work
   ahead"  so  that  Kosovo  can  advance its progress toward joining the
   European Union.

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