Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kosovo Elections are taking place this year ?
Extraordinary Kosovo Assembly Elections will take place on 12 December 2010.
What is Voter Registration ?
Voter registration is the process by which a list is compiled of all persons eligible to vote for an election, in accordance with law on General Election of Republic of Kosovo no. 03/L-073 and Law on Local Elections in Republic of Kosovo no. 03/L-072. On Election Day, this list – called “Final Voters List” - serves as proof of a person’s right to vote.
Why must I apply for registration for Out of Kosovo Voting ?
The By-Mail voters list needs to be updated every time there are elections. Thus, you can only vote By-Mail if you apply. Only by being placed on the final voter's list are you able to vote.
If you have successfully voted By-Mail in previous Kosovo elections
You should apply by sending in a signed registration application along with a photocopy of your photo identification document ID. If your application is accepted, you will be placed on the final voter's list and ballots received on 16th of November 2010 will be accepted.
If you have never successfully registered to vote By-Mail for Kosovo elections
o You need to prove that you meet the eligibility criteria established by Ministry of Interior (MI )/UNMIK. To apply for registration for By-Mail voting, you must send us a signed registration application along with photocopies of supporting documentation (Passport, identification document, driving license Birth Certificate, ID card, of Republic of Kosovo or UMIK etc.). If your registration is accepted, you will be placed on the final voter's list. Only by establishing your eligibility, and being placed on the final voter's list, are you eligible to vote.
Only if you if you prove your eligibility criteria for you right to vote based on the election law and that you are listed in BMO voters list you will be able to cast your ballot.
How do I apply to be a By-Mail Voter ?
If you have civilly registered in one of the Municipal Civil Registration Centres (MCRC) but you are temporarily living outside of or are displaced from Kosovo, see below.
If you are living in other countries:
If you are a resident of Republic of Kosovo but temporarily living abroad or you are displaced from Kosovo and living in any foreign country, you must apply in order to be eligible to Vote By-Mail. You have the right of reviewing your application/registration which is received after 16th of November 2010 and is refused by By-Mail Voting Operation unit with competent legal bodies and you will receive a ballot kit in case you receive a positive answer from this legal body, to take a part in By-Mail Operations and to vote by-mail.
How do I obtain a Registration Application Form for Out of Kosovo Voting and Instructions ?
If you are not successfully registered for By-Mail Voting for previous elections.
You can download a Registration Application Form, Instructions Sheet and Common Documents Sheet from this website (www.kqz-ks.org). These forms will instruct you on what is required to successfully register.
In addition you can get the Registration/Application form from:
Taking one of a from personally from one of the Kosovo Embassies abroad(to check the list of addresses click here)
Taking one of a form personally from one of the distribution centers out of Kosovo (to check the list of addresses of the distribution centers out of Kosovo click here)
Photocopied from local newspaper ( Koha Ditore and Bota Sot )
In the form you will have the instruction to guide you how to fill the form.
If you could not take the Registration/ Application from one of above sources, you can download the form from CEC web page : www.kqz-ks.org.
If you successfully registered to vote by mail in the 2009 Elections, an individualized package, including the application form, will be mailed to you. Fill out and sign the Application Form, photocopy the required documents, attach the photocopies, and send the signed application and photocopies to:
CEC Secretariat in Kosovo
By-Mail Voting
P.O. 6 Box 351
10000 Pristina
Kosovo
You can also order a form to be sent to you by mail. To do so, contact the Kosovo By-Mail Operations (BMO) Helpdesk at:
Phone: + 381 (0)38 552 452
+ 381 (0) 38 552 453
Fax: + 381 (0) 38 552 453
Email: ovpp@kqz-ks.org
Until when can I register to vote By-Mail ?
Your Registration/Application must be received until 17 November 2010.
What is the 01 January 1998 Criterion ?
In order to vote from outside of Kosovo, people who are not civilly registered in Kosovo must prove that they used to live in Kosovo and left Kosovo on or after 01 January 1998*. This 01/01/1998 cut-off date has been agreed to by the Central Election Commission and is specified in the Election Law of Repblic of Kosovo.. If you’d like more information on the Central Election Commission click here.
The only exception to the 01 January 1998 criterion is the recognition of an applicant, on or after 01 January 1995, as a refugee as defined in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
What documents do I need to establish my eligibility ?
The documents you need depend on what you need to prove. We suggest you read the Eligibility Criteria Page. You can also download the and the Common Documents Sheet for guidance.
You may not need a separate document for every criterion. One document may satisfy all four conditions. For instance, if you can provide a photocopy of a FRY Passport, a FRY ID OR a FRY Drivers License which indicates your Date of Birth in Kosovo and was issued in Kosovo between 1 January 1996 and 1 January 1999, and if you are eighteen (18) of age by Election Day, you are eligible to vote.
For all copies of documentation you submit, make sure that all the relevant entries in the document (such as age, address, etc.) are clear, if the photocopies are hard to read or illegible this will slow down your application.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. A PHOTOCOPY IS SUFFICIENT.
If you still have questions, contact our helpdesk at:
+ 381 (0)38 552 452
+ 381 (0) 38 552 453
Fax: + 381 (0) 38 552 453
Email: ovpp@kqz-ks.org
How do I submit my application ?
You may mail your application and photocopies of supporting documentation to:
CEC Secretariat in Kosovo
By-Mail Voting
P.O. 6 Box 351
10000 Pristina
Kosovo
Can I fax my application ?
Yes you can send your application and photocopies of your documentation by fax. Our fax number is: + 381 (0) 38 552 453.
Can I register in Kosovo and vote By-Mail ?
If you want to vote by mail, you must register to vote by mail. Similarly, if you want to vote in-person in Kosovo, you must register in person in Kosovo.
I have Asylum Status. Can I vote by Mail ?
“Asylum” status means that you are a formally recognized refugee as defined in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This is a status conferred on you by your host government.
You are eligible to vote by mail if you can establish that you received this status on or after 01 January 1995. In this case, you are exempt from the 01 January 1998 residency requirement. To be eligible, you must provide documentary proof of your status. For example, produce an official document from your host country clearly indicating your status. Send a photocopy of this document along with your completed Registration Application for Out of Kosovo Voting to us at:
CEC Secretariat in Kosovo
By-Mail Voting
P.O. 6 Box 351
10000 Pristina
Kosovo
I registered in Kosovo to get my Ministry of Internal Affairs/ UNMIK Identification Card. I have also registered to vote outside of Kosovo By-Mail. Do I vote By-Mail ?
If you registered in Kosovo but are temporarily living outside of or are displaced from Kosovo you can cast your ballot by mail. You can only cast your ballot once, either By-Mail or in-person in Kosovo.
Elections in Kosovo have two voters’ lists. One is derived from the Ministry of Internal Affairs / UNMIK civil registry in Kosovo and the other is the Out-of-Kosovo voter’s list which comprises all By-Mail voters. To ensure that each voter only casts his/her ballot once, the CEC does a cross-check of the two lists and ensures only the in person ballot is counted in the case of duplicates.
For more information on how and where to vote in person in Kosovo, visit the Voter Services Page.
How do I confirm the status of my Application/Registration ?
To check the status of your application or change your voter details call the helpdesk. The helpdesk can be reached by telephone or email:
+ 381 (0)38 552 452
+ 381 (0) 38 552 453
Fax: + 381 (0) 38 552 453
Email: ovpp@kqz-ks.org
What happens if my application is denied ?
If your application is denied, you will be sent an explanation stating why and what documents you must send in for it to be approved.
We will also send you a ballot kit so you can send a completed set of ballots. Since the timeframe is short these ballots will be counted ONLY if you received the positive answer by competent legal body in accordance with the General and Local Election in Republic of Kosovo, regarding your eligibility to participate in BMO to be able to cast your vote by mail.
What if the Municipality on my form is incorrect?
If you are successfully registered, but the Municipality stated on the form is incorrect, you can still change it by providing documentation stating your correct address on 01 January 1998.
Who can I contact with questions ?
If you have any further questions contact our helpdesk at:
Telephone: + 381 (0)38 552 452
+ 381 (0) 38 552 453
Fax: + 381 (0) 38 552 452
Email: ovpp@kqz-ks.org
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