Serb List, the largest party representing Kosovo Serbs and supported by Belgrade, has accused the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kosovo of political manipulation due to the allegedly “unequal composition” of polling station councils for counting votes in the October 12 local elections.
During a press conference on September 8, the party also raised concerns about voter lists in Serb-majority municipalities, submitting a formal complaint to the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) and calling on the international community to intervene.
Key Claims by Serb List
- Voter reduction in certain municipalities: Compared with the February parliamentary elections, voter numbers reportedly decreased in Leposavić (~1,500 fewer voters) and North Mitrovica (~1,200 fewer voters).
- Alleged removal of voters: Serb voters in North Mitrovica, particularly at the “Sveti Sava” Primary School, were reportedly removed from the voter lists, which could significantly affect assembly and mayoral results.
- Increase in voter numbers: In Graçanicë, near Pristina, the number of voters reportedly increased by over 2,000 compared with the February elections.
- Unequal representation in polling station councils: In Novobërda, where Serb List won 60% of parliamentary votes, the party reportedly has no polling station chairpersons, and nine council members are missing. In Partesh, the party has only one chairperson for seven polling stations, despite winning nearly 90% of votes in previous elections.
Serb List claims that the CEC’s actions prevent the party from effectively monitoring election legality and fairness, and asserts that similar concerns were raised before the February elections.
The Kosovo CEC confirmed on September 6 the voter list for the October 12 elections, stating that 2,069,098 people are eligible to vote. Of these, 2,025,105 voters are registered in polling stations within Kosovo, while 43,993 are registered for postal voting abroad. A total of 938 polling centers with 2,625 polling stations will be open for the elections.
