The counting of the final ballots cast by the diaspora is set to begin today, following the arrival of the last packages containing votes sent from abroad.
According to the Central Election Commission (CEC), a total of 3,185 ballot packages are expected to arrive today. These packages were collected from postal boxes in Paris, Berlin, The Hague, Podgorica, and Ottawa.
CEC spokesperson Valmir Elezi confirmed that the counting process is scheduled to start this evening, after the completion of the mandatory verification procedures.
“Initially, these packages will undergo an evaluation and verification process to confirm that they were sent by voters registered outside Kosovo. Once approved, the ballots will be counted. We plan for the counting to begin tonight around 7:00 p.m.,” Elezi stated.
Final Results Pending Complaint Deadline
Elezi added that once the counting of these ballots is completed, the CEC will be technically ready to announce the final results of the snap elections held on December 28.
However, he emphasized that the Commission must first wait for the expiration of the legal deadline for possible complaints.
“After the counting is finalized, the CEC is prepared to declare the final election results. Nevertheless, under the Law on General Elections, political entities have the right to submit complaints to the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) regarding the administration of the counting process within 48 hours from the alleged violation,” Elezi explained.
The completion of the diaspora vote count is considered the final procedural step before the official certification of the election results, pending any formal appeals.
