EPDE Network Members Explore Election Procedures in Kosovo During Study Trip

From 5-10 February 2025, the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE) organized a study trip for network members and partners to observe the 2025 parliamentary elections in Kosovo. 24 EPDE members from 10 countries engaged with key stakeholders in Kosovo’s political and electoral landscape to gain insights into the electoral process, governance challenges, and regional dynamics.

On election day, participants visited polling stations to observe the voting and counting process. Their observations were collected and analysed through an app provided by the partner organisation CommitGlobal.

During the visit, the delegation met with representatives from the Central Election Commission (CEC) to discuss election administration and transparency concerns, particularly delays in announcing final results and the integrity of voter lists. Discussions with civil society organizations and election observers highlighted details of the electoral law in Kosovo and ongoing challenges such as family voting, voter intimidation, particularly in the northern regions influenced by Serbia, and the facilitation of diaspora participation.

The delegation also had in-depth conversations with judicial experts, including representatives from Kosovo’s prosecutorial and judicial institutions, to examine anti-corruption measures and ongoing justice reforms.

Meetings with political party representatives and media professionals shed light on the campaign environment, the role of social media, and the spread of disinformation and polarizing narratives. Electoral rhetoric continues to focus heavily on ethnic divisions and security concerns rather than integration and democratic reforms.

The study trip provided valuable insights into Kosovo’s electoral and political landscape, emphasizing the need for continued reforms in transparency, media freedom, and institutional integrity.

Study trips like this one are a key component of EPDE’s effort to strengthen the skills of election observers within our network through capacity-building.