Voting ended in Kosovo on Sunday with turnout reaching about 44.6%, higher than in the parliamentary election held on Feb. 9 this year, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said.
The CEC earlier reported that voter participation had stood at nearly 40% by 1800 local time. About 900,000 voters cast ballots nationwide, according to preliminary figures.
Nearly 2 million citizens were eligible to vote to elect Kosovo’s 10th legislature. Polls opened at 0700 local time and closed at 1900.
A total of 24 political parties and groups competed in the snap parliamentary election, fielding 1,180 candidates. Eight Albanian-majority parties with 624 candidates are contesting 100 seats in parliament, while parties representing minority communities are vying for the remaining 20 seats reserved for non-Albanian groups.
Preliminary exit polls showed Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetëvendosje party leading the vote but falling short of the 61 seats needed to form a government on its own. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) was projected to finish second, followed by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
Speaking after polls closed, Kurti said the will of the people was now “inside the ballot boxes” and urged election officials to complete the counting process responsibly.
Election authorities reported isolated incidents during the day, including temporary power outages at several polling stations and a small number of police investigations into alleged voter intimidation. Officials said the voting process was otherwise calm and orderly.
The CEC said voting had also concluded at all of Kosovo’s diplomatic missions abroad and that vote counting was under way.