International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member-societies are taking a second vote on whether to admit Kosovo’s national Amateur Radio association, Shoqata e Radio Amatoreve te Kosoves (SHRAK). IARU Proposal 254 is a revote on whether or not to admit SHRAK.

“Many of you will recall that Kosovo was proposed for IARU membership in IARU Proposal 251 in 2014,” IARU Secretary Rod Stafford, W6ROD, explained in an e-mail to members. “Fifty-one affirmative votes were required for approval; 49 affirmative votes were received prior to the close of voting, so the proposal failed.”

Stafford pointed out, however, that two more affirmative votes arrived “very shortly after the close of voting” but could not be counted under IARU rules. “Under the circumstances, IARU Region 1 requested the International Secretariat conduct of revote for the admission of Kosovo,” Stafford said. He urged member-societies to return their ballots as soon as possible.

Amateur Radio was revived in Kosovo in 2012, and a training and licensing program has been established.

Stafford announced that a vote on IARU Proposal 253 resulted in an affirmative vote on the membership application of the Association Burundaise des Amateurs Radio et Télévision (ABART). Sixty-seven votes were received in favor of admitting Burundi. “It is a pleasure to welcome a new member to the IARU,” Stafford said. — Thanks to Rod Stafford, W6ROD, Secretary, IARU