The decision in the CEC on polling stations outside diplomatic representations, I KD: The law allows in no way

Opening polling stations outside diplomatic representations of the CEC that pushed the V V, IKD: S's Law in No Way

Kosovo's Institute for Justice (IKD) has reacted to the Central Election Commission over the decision to open polling stations outside diplomatic representations.

The IKD said the opening of polling stations outside diplomatic representations is contrary to the General Election Law and election rules.

According to the public announcement of November 27, 2025, The CEC at the 84th meeting, under the preparation of early elections for the Kosovo Assembly, has made a decision on the approval of the polling Centres for voting abroad. Meanwhile, besides diplomatic representatives, the CEC has announced that under the same decision the Centre of Elections will open in additional spaces, outside diplomatic representations, according to the proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspore.

The additional “Loccations include 10 polling centres (German 5; Switzerland 3, United Kingdom 1 and US 1) with a total of 43 seats and with the maximum number of voters that can be registered to vote 40,850 voters”, the CEC had said.

The adoption of this decision in the CEC pushed the Vetevendosje Movement, while other parties voted against it.

For this, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, in his speech when he was nominated by his party for prime minister, accused Albanian parties that, along with List Srpska, they voted against that decision.

The same beloved citizens -- the PDK, LDK, AAK, the Serbian List -- have voted against allowing them to vote in additional areas. Our embassies have organized additional spaces so that the exiles can take a greater chance to vote physically abroad, but that opposition subjects could not do so in 2021. This was finally approved today, but The PDK, LDK, AAK and the Serbian List voted against. So despite their vote against it, additional voting spaces were approved even outside embassies and consulates that physically make the flow of our citizens there” impossible, Kurti had said.

But IKD says no. 08/L-228 for the General Elections does not allow the opening of additional spaces, outside diplomatic representations.

“Initially, this Law defines what is the diplomatic representation: “ambasade, consulate, diplomatic mission and consular mission, representing the Republic of Kosovo in another state, and on the day of the vote, can be exploited as the polling centre, according to CEC estimates of”. While, it contains a separate chapter for voting outside Kosovo. Among other things, says the CEC requires the MPJ list of all diplomatic representatives, along with necessary details on the space of the facilities. Moreover, it stipulates that the CEC will ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to list diplomatic representatives. And this last one offers the CEC requested information”.

“Concretically, Article 8, 96 paragraph, says: “The CEC, in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praises physical spaces for each diplomatic representative, and, in line with the established criteria, decides on the number of seats and the number of voters for each diplomatic representative. No later than five days after the election date was announced, the CEC is looking to the MPJ -- the list of all diplomatic representatives -- along with the necessary details on the space of objects. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tasked with providing the CEC with all required information within three (3) days, from the day of application. MPJ adjusts the space of diplomatic representation objects to locations according to criteria set by the CEC””, further explained the IKD.

So, the IKD says the law in no way envisions the possibility of allowing additional spaces outside diplomatic representations, nor of the possibility of the MPJD proposing any other space than the list of diplomatic representatives, which is required by the CEC.

“Opening additional spaces is not allowed in any way even if the maximum number of voters specified by the CEC is met, for each diplomatic representative. In such cases, election rules predict that according to the application time principle, applicants who are beyond the limit are directed for other ways of voting”.

IKD also quoted some of the provisions of the law:

Article 3 of Rule 04/2025 for registration and voting outside Kosovo, through paragraphs 9 and 10 stipulates:

“9. Based on the assessment of the capacity for voting on diplomatic representation, the CEC defines the maximum number of voters for each diplomatic representative, designated as polling station.

10. In the event of meeting the maximum number of voters in diplomatic representation, according to the application time principle, the applicant will be directed for other ways of voting”.

The IKD said this approach jeopardises the integrity of the election process and opens up opportunities for misuse.

“In the event of potential complaints, opportunities for annulment of votes in these polling stations are created, precisely because the law does not allow the opening of these” centres.

Therefore, the IKD calls for the CEC to interrupt actions that conflict with electoral laws and regulations.

“Respecting the law forms the foundation of electoral integrity and democratic functioning of institutions. Therefore, the CEC has the obligation that within its legally defined mandate, it will ensure that electoral processes are fully legal and reliable”.