How does voting for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo work in Kosovo elections?

A voter selects one political subject and may select one to ten candidates from that same subject. The Assembly has 120 seats, including 100 general seats and 20 guaranteed seats for non-majority communities; general lists are subject to a five-percent threshold, while community subjects are not.

How is a mayor elected in municipal elections in Kosovo?

A mayor is elected directly in the relevant municipality. A candidate needs more than half of the valid votes in the first round; otherwise, the two leading candidates compete in a second round four Sundays later, decided by a simple majority.

What identity documents can a voter use at a polling station in Kosovo elections?

A voter can generally prove identity with a valid Kosovo identity card, passport, travel document or driving licence, together with any legally recognized special document. Polling stations usually operate from 07:00 to 19:00, and the voter must use the assigned voting procedure.

How can a voter register to vote from outside Kosovo in Kosovo elections?

A voter who wants to vote outside Kosovo must register with KQZ through diaspora.kqz-ks.org or by post and choose diplomatic voting, a ballot sent to a mailbox outside Kosovo, or a ballot sent to a mailbox in Kosovo. The registration period and voting dates depend on the relevant election decree; for the 2026 Assembly election, registration ran from 6 to 17 May and diplomatic voting took place on 6 June.

How are complaints about election results handled after elections in Kosovo?

Complaints go first to the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel, known as PZAP, within the deadline for the relevant type of complaint. Typical periods are 24 hours for Election Day complaints, 48 hours for campaign complaints and 24 hours for complaints concerning the Central Counting and Results Centre; further appeals may go to the Supreme Court.

How does government formation follow parliamentary elections in Kosovo?

The President mandates a party or coalition that can obtain a majority in the Assembly. The nominated Prime Minister then has 15 days to present the government for a vote requiring 61 Assembly votes; if the first attempt fails, a second mandate may follow within ten days, and a second failure leads to elections within 40 days.

Elections in Kosovo

Elections in Kosovo determine the members of the Assembly, municipal assemblies and mayors through direct voting. The Central Election Commission, known as KQZ, organizes and verifies the electoral process. The President is elected indirectly by the Assembly, while parliamentary elections can lead to the formation of a new government.

Tip

Treat each Kosovo election as a deadline-driven process with its own ballot, eligibility rules and complaint deadlines. Confirm your voter record and voting location with KQZ early, choose the correct domestic or diaspora procedure, and mark only valid choices. Keep the ballot secret and do not rely on preliminary results when making decisions about government formation or election outcomes.

byBesa&Faton

Kosovo holds direct elections for the 120-seat Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, municipal assemblies and mayors. The Assembly has a four-year mandate, and Kosovo forms one electoral district for parliamentary elections. Voters select one political subject and may select between one and ten candidates from that subject. If more than ten candidates are marked, only the vote for the political subject remains valid. One hundred seats are distributed among general lists and twenty seats are guaranteed for non-majority communities: ten for Kosovo Serbs, three for Bosniaks, two for Turks, one for Roma, one for Ashkali, one for Egyptians, one additional seat for the Roma, Ashkali or Egyptian subject with the highest combined vote total, and one for Gorani. General lists need more than five percent of the valid votes, while community subjects are exempt from that threshold. Seats are distributed proportionally under Law 08/L-228.