Gjini Backs Initiative for Criminal Penalties on Constitutional Violations and Misuse of State Funds in Elections

The Chairman of the Alliance, Ardian Gjini, has given his support to the initiative of the Kosovo Institute for Justice, which seeks to penalize the non-compliance with Constitutional Court decisions and the misuse of the public treasury during the election period.

The IKD has started collecting signatures for a citizen’s legislative proposal aimed at amending the Criminal Code.

According to the proposal, officials who do not enforce Constitutional Court rulings would face criminal consequences, as would the use of budget money to manipulate voters’ will and secure unlawful advantages during the electoral race.

In a public statement, Gjini said that although respect for the fundamental law and the prohibition of abuse of public funds should be the norm in a healthy democracy, the open violations that have occurred in recent years make it necessary to codify these matters.

He pointed out that the distribution of aid from the state coffers on the eve of elections is not social care, but a mechanism to buy votes with taxpayer revenues.

“The electoral process should be fair competition, not a bazaar where the government enters the game with the public safe under its arm,” Gjini was quoted as saying, KosovaPress reports.

He insisted that criminal accountability must be established both for ignoring Constitutional Court decisions and for financing campaigns with taxpayer money.

“This abuse should be legally punished, regardless of who commits it. I, too, will sign,” Gjini declared, joining the ranks of supporters of this IKD initiative.

Meanwhile, IKD senior researcher Naim Jakaj announced on Thursday that to advance this proposal to the Assembly, at least 10,000 valid signatures are needed.