The Central Election Commission (CEC) has recommended to the Assembly of Kosovo a reduction in the number of preferential votes for parliamentary candidates, as part of proposed amendments to the Law on General Elections.
CEC Chair Kreshnik Radoniqi confirmed that a formal letter outlining the recommendation was sent to Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu. The proposal suggests lowering the number of preferential votes to either five or three.
Radoniqi acknowledged that the letter was sent without prior consultation with other CEC members, describing it as a mistake and issuing an apology. However, he noted that the recommendation had previously been discussed and generally agreed upon within the institution.
CEC member Muharrem Nitaj from AAK emphasized that such proposals require broader consultation and a more complex legislative procedure, including a two-thirds majority in the Assembly, which he described as difficult to achieve.
Meanwhile, LVV representative Alban Krasniqi stated that the recommendation is part of a broader package of electoral reforms to be submitted to lawmakers.
The CEC’s recommendations also include introducing digital vote counting through ballot scanning, electronic voter identification, extending deadlines for organizing early elections from 45 to 60 days, and revising complaint procedures in electoral bodies such as the PZAP and the Supreme Court.
The proposed reforms follow challenges identified during the 2025 parliamentary elections, including irregularities in vote counting and cases of alleged manipulation, which led to the arrest of several election commissioners.
The Assembly is expected to review the recommendations as part of ongoing efforts to improve transparency, efficiency, and integrity in Kosovo’s electoral system.
