In this connection, a number of interlocutors in Pristina raised concerns about the Office’s independence, as it will be established by the CEC and will be closely linked to it. They indicated that the CEC, whose chair is appointed by the President of the Republic and whose other 10 members are appointed by political parties, has been repeatedly subject to political pressure. They were also critical about the weak position of the CEC chair. The latter was meant to strengthen the independence of that body but had practically no – even administrative – rights except for voting rights as other members and the responsibility to lead CEC sessions. The rapporteurs were interested to hear from Government representatives that they shared such concerns and were in favour of reforming the CEC.