Constitutional court rules recent Kosovo presidential poll illegal

Kosovo’s top court decided on 28 March 2011 that Behgjet Pacolli was elected in an unconstitutional procedure. The verdict comes after only one month since the presidential elections, on 22 February 2011.

Also, new parliamentary elections may now also be necessary. ‘Behgjet Pacolli was elected in an unconstitutional procedure,’ the court said in a statement posted on its website. It did not elaborate further on the ruling.

The decision follows a joint appeal filed earlier on march 2011 by Kosovo's leading opposition parties.
No date has been set for a new election.

• Primary Source

IFES: Kosovo: Parliamentary elections 2010 http://www.electionguide.org/election.php?ID=1911

ESO: Background information: Kosovan parliament elects controversial leaders http://www.europeansources.info/record/kosovan-parliament-elects-controversial-leaders/

BBC News, 29.3.11: Election of Kosovo's president ruled illegal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12883963

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