Prishtina, July 20, 2025 — The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kosovo announced that starting Wednesday, July 23, the registration period will officially open for citizens living abroad who wish to vote by mail in the upcoming local elections scheduled for October 12, 2025.
The registration window will remain open for 38 days, ending on August 29, as stipulated by the CEC.
Valmir Elezi, spokesperson for the Commission, explained the registration procedures in an interview. He emphasized that all Kosovo citizens residing outside the country are eligible to register individually as overseas voters, either:
- Online via the CEC’s electronic platform, or
- By post, by sending their application directly to the Commission’s postal address in Kosovo.
Elezi confirmed that the electronic platform will become operational on July 23, allowing eligible voters to complete the process in accordance with legal requirements.
Unlike the February parliamentary elections, where voting was permitted in Kosovo’s embassies and consulates, this option will not be available for the local elections due to restrictions in the Law on General Elections.
“In local elections, the law explicitly prohibits voting in diplomatic missions. Therefore, all voting from abroad must be conducted strictly by mail,” Elezi clarified.
To accommodate this, the CEC will establish postal boxes in various countries, enabling the submission of ballot packages from registered voters.
The voting period for the diaspora will run from September 17 to October 11, 2025, and will apply only to those who have registered within the designated 38-day period.
These local elections will determine the new municipal mayors and members of municipal assemblies across Kosovo’s 38 municipalities.
