In just one week, citizens of the Republic of Kosovo will head to the polls to elect 38 mayors and members of 38 municipal assemblies across the country.
On October 12, voting stations will open for what will be the eighth round of municipal assembly elections and the sixth for mayors since Kosovo declared independence.
The decision to hold the elections on October 12 was made in June 2025 by President Vjosa Osmani, following consultations with political parties and in full accordance with constitutional and legal deadlines.
These elections come at a politically delicate moment, as Kosovo’s central institutions remain in gridlock following the February 9 parliamentary elections, with the Assembly still lacking a Speaker and no new government formed.
Meanwhile, the Central Election Commission (CEC) continues its technical preparations to ensure a smooth and transparent process.
According to the Voters’ List, 2,025,105 citizens are eligible to vote within Kosovo, while 43,993 voters have registered to cast their ballots by mail from abroad.
The elections will take place across 948 polling centers with a total of 2,625 polling stations.
Voters outside Kosovo have been able to vote by mail since September 17, 2025.
A total of 93 political entities have been certified for participation:
- 32 political parties
- 32 citizens’ initiatives
- 2 coalitions
- 27 independent candidates
In total, 5,626 candidates are competing — 206 for mayoral positions and the rest for municipal assembly seats.
In the Serb-majority northern municipalities — North Mitrovica, Zvečan, Leposavić, and Zubin Potok — elections often face unique challenges, ranging from limited competition to administrative obstacles.
After a four-year boycott of local institutions, the Serb List (Lista Srpska) has decided to return to the electoral process on October 12, 2025.
During the boycott, these municipalities were led by Albanian mayors elected in extraordinary elections, creating an unusual political situation. With the Serb List’s return, it is now possible that these municipalities will once again fall under Serb leadership.
The last local elections in Kosovo were held in October 2021.
