Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has allocated approximately €2.5 million for the upcoming two rounds of local elections, specifically for the cost of postal voting and the collection of ballots from the diaspora.
This substantial sum is intended to cover expenses for an estimated 100,000 registered voters in the first round and 70,000 in the second round, along with various postal services.
CEC spokesperson Valmir Elezi shared this information with Ekonomia Online, stating that a clearer picture of the exact cost will only be available after the voter registration process for Kosovars abroad concludes. “The amount planned by the CEC to cover this electoral operation is €2.48 million,” Elezi said. “This planning includes the organization of the process for 100,000 registered voters in the first round, 70,000 of them in the second round, as well as postal services for retrieving shipments from mailboxes that will be opened in various countries around the world. However, this is just a plan, and we will have to wait for the completion of the voter registration process outside Kosovo to have a clearer overview.”
Ensuring Integrity Through Postal Voting
Elezi highlighted that this cost stems from measures taken by the CEC to enhance the integrity of the voting process for citizens abroad. He clarified that for these local elections, overseas voting will be conducted exclusively via mail, as the Law on General Elections does not permit organizing voting at diplomatic missions for this type of election.
“Unlike elections for the Assembly of Kosovo, in Local Elections, voting abroad is done only via mail, as the Law on General Elections specifies that voting at diplomatic missions does not apply to this type of election,” Elezi explained. “Also, in these elections, the CEC will ensure that Kosovo citizens who successfully register to vote from outside Kosovo via postal voting will have their ballots and other necessary election materials sent to them by mail. We believe this measure will impact the integrity of this process.” He added that it remains the voter’s responsibility to send the ballot package to one of the CEC’s mailboxes opened in various countries worldwide and in Kosovo.
Registration Details for Diaspora Voters
According to the CEC, all eligible Kosovo citizens living abroad can vote in the Local Elections for Municipal Mayors and Municipal Assemblies if they successfully apply and register for overseas voting. The registration period will last 38 days, from July 23 to August 29, 2025. During this time, all Kosovo citizens living abroad can apply to register as voters from outside Kosovo.
Applications for registration can be made either through the CEC’s electronic platform or by mail, by sending the application to the CEC’s mailbox in Kosovo.
