Despite hundreds of indictments related to vote abuse and election manipulation in Kosovo, only 32 individuals have received prison sentences over the past years, according to data from the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC).
In recent weeks, dozens of election commissioners and political party members have been placed in pre-trial detention on suspicion of vote manipulation. The allegations include irregularities during vote counting and processing, as well as bribery related to electoral activities.
Lenient Punishments Over the Years
KJC data indicates that penalties for election-related offenses have historically been relatively mild, with most defendants receiving suspended sentences or fines, while many cases remained unresolved.
- 2011: 15 individuals were imprisoned, 11 received suspended sentences, 1 was fined, while several cases remained unresolved.
- 2012: No prison sentences were issued; 1 suspended sentence was delivered, while 28 cases remained without final resolution.
- 2013: Five indictments remained unresolved.
- 2014: Five individuals received suspended sentences, and three cases remained unresolved.
- 2015: 56 defendants never received a final verdict, 15 received suspended sentences, and only 1 individual was imprisoned.
- 2016: Two indictments were filed; one resulted in a suspended sentence, while the other remained unresolved.
- 2017: All 13 indictments remained unresolved.
- 2018: Among multiple cases, 12 individuals were imprisoned, several received suspended sentences or fines, and many cases lacked final rulings.
- 2019: Out of 63 indictments, courts issued 5 prison sentences, 36 suspended sentences, 5 fines, while 20 cases remained unresolved.
- 2020: Three individuals were imprisoned, three fined, 26 received suspended sentences, and 10 cases remained unresolved.
- 2021: Only two individuals were imprisoned, while 88 received suspended sentences, seven were fined, and 83 cases lacked final rulings.
Ongoing Pattern of Limited Accountability
According to the KJC, the trend has remained largely unchanged in subsequent years, with the majority of cases resulting in suspended sentences or remaining without final judicial outcomes.
From 2011 through 2025, only 32 individuals were sentenced to imprisonment for election-related crimes, and not all of these verdicts have become final.
Legal Framework
Under Chapter 18 of Kosovo’s Criminal Code, which addresses criminal offenses against voting rights, perpetrators can face prison sentences ranging from six months to five years. However, statistics suggest that courts have rarely imposed the maximum penalties allowed by law.
