(ANSA) - PRISTINA, 03 FEB - In Kosovo, the ten-day election campaign began today ahead of the early parliamentary elections on February 14. The central electoral commission has accepted 21 political parties, two coalitions, and five civic initiatives.

The latest polls favor the radical-nationalist opposition movement 'Self-determination' (Vetevendosje, VV). However, the commission has excluded the movement's leader Albin Kurti from the lists, as a law prohibits the candidacy of anyone who has faced a criminal conviction in the last three years. Kurti was sentenced in 2018 for continuing intemperance in parliament, including the use of tear gas, to avoid the adoption of laws deemed hostile to Kosovo's interests. Over 2,000 polling stations are available for nearly 1.8 million voters. The major Western countries that recognize Kosovo's independence and international organizations have called for a fair, free and democratic vote. Serbia does not recognize the independence of what it continues to consider its southern province with an Albanian majority. The early voting came after the Constitutional Court sanctioned the illegitimacy of the vote of confidence won last June in parliament by the outgoing government led by premier Avdullah Hoti. (ANSA).