For the third consecutive day, the counting of votes from the diaspora continues, and while these ballots have not changed the outcome of the upcoming runoffs, they have affected candidate rankings in several municipalities.
According to the latest results released by the Central Election Commission (CEC), diaspora votes shifted the standings in Mitrovica, while Gjilan, Dragash, and Junik remain headed for a second round of local elections.
The counting process, which began on Friday afternoon, confirms that Gjilan will move to a runoff election. After counting 85% of ballots from abroad, Vetëvendosje’s candidate, Alban Hyseni, leads with 51.77%, still short of the 57% threshold required to win outright in the first round.
In Mitrovica, diaspora votes reversed the preliminary results. Initially, PDK’s Arian Tahiri led LVV’s Faton Peci by only 40 votes (15,393 vs. 15,353). After adding diaspora ballots, Peci received 392 votes compared to Tahiri’s 236, giving Peci a narrow lead of 116 votes (15,745 to 15,629).
In Prishtina, the inclusion of diaspora votes is not expected to significantly affect the final results.
Meanwhile, Vetëvendosje’s Qemajl Aliu has secured victory in Shtime with 51.63% of the votes, defeating PDK’s Përparim Ramusa, who garnered 35.15%.
In Junik, the LDK’s Ruzhdi Shehu achieved 50.97%, ahead of Agron Kuçi, who received 35.34%.
In Dragash, LDK’s Bexhet Xheladini won over 55% of the diaspora votes, compared to PDK’s Shaban Shabani, who earned 25.43%.
Additionally, Han i Elezit’s incumbent mayor, Mehmet Balazhi (PDK), secured another term thanks to strong diaspora support. From the two ballot boxes counted in this municipality, Balazhi received 84 votes, while his opponent Rufki Suma obtained 55 votes.