Kosovo mayoral races end in first round in 21 of 38 municipalities

Of the 38 municipalities in Kosovo, mayoral races in 21 concluded on Sunday with voting in the first round of local elections.

In Ferizaj, Agim Aliu of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (DPK) won the race again with more than 56 percent of the votes.

In Lipjan, the elections also ended without a second round, with Imri Ahmeti of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) winning more than 51 percent of the vote.

Špejtim Bulići from the Self-Determination Movement won in Podujevo with more than 53 percent of the votes.

In Srbica, Sami Ljuštaku from the PDK won convincingly with more than 83 percent of the votes.

The same thing happened in Kamenica. Kadri Rahimaj from Self-Determination won more than 50 percent of the vote there.

In Istok, Ilir Ferati from the LDK won with 58 percent of the votes.

The city of Shtime was won by Self-Determination with Qemajl Ali winning more than 50 percent of the vote.

In Malisevo, Ekrem Kastrati from the Social Democratic Initiative won with more than 53 percent of the votes.

In Decani, Bashkim Ramosaj from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo won with more than 51 percent of the vote.

In Glogovac, Ramiz Ladrovci from the party "For the Champion of Glogovac with Ramiz Ladrovci" won with more than 52 percent of the votes.

Mehmet Balazi from the DPK won in Đeneral Janković with more than 50 percent of the vote.

Abdulhadi Krasnič from the Democratic Turkish Party of Kosovo (KDTP) won in Mamusha with over 50 percent of the vote.

The race was also completed in four municipalities with a Serb majority: North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavić and Zubin Potok. Candidates from the Serbian List, the largest Serb party in Kosovo and supported by the authorities in Belgrade, won there.

The Serbian List also won in Novo Brdo, Štrpce, Gračanica, Ranilug and Parteš.

Second round

In 17 municipalities, the second round of elections will be held on November 9th.

According to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission, in Pristina, Perparim Rama of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) will face Hajrullah Ceku of Self-Determination in the second round of voting.

In Prizren, Shaqir Totaj of the Democratic Party of Kosovo will compete with Artan Abrashi.

In Peja, Gazmend Muhaxheri of the LDK will face Taulant Kelmendi of Self-Determination.

In Junik, Ruždi Šehu of the LDK will face Agron Kuči of the AAK.

In Dragash, Behxhet Xheladini from the LDK and Shaban Shabani from the PDK are going to the second round.

In Gjakova, Ardijan Đini of AAK is expected to face Ardijan Golo of Samoopredjeljenje.

In Kacanik, Sabedin Viši of the PDK will face Jeton Rak of Self-Determination.

In Kosovo Polje, Valon Prebreze from Self-Determination and Besnik Osmani from LDK are going to the second round.

In South Mitrovica, Arijan Tahiri from the PDK and Faton Peci from Self-Determination will face off.

In Orahovac, Smajl Latifi of AAK will face Ali Dula of Samoopredjeljenje.

In Suva Reka, Balija Muharemaj from AAK and Ardijana Šale from LDK are going to the second round.

In Gjilan, Alban Hyseni of Self-Determination will face Arber Ismajli of LDK.

A race will be held in Vitina between Sokol Haliti from LDK and Arsim Ademi from Self-Determination.

Ferit Idrizi from the PDK and Sulejman Meholi from Self-Determination will face off in Vushtrri.

In Obilić, Džafer Gashi of the LDK will face Halil Thaci of the Self-Determination Party.

Zenun Elezaj from AAK and Sokol Bašota from DPK will face off in Klina.

In Klokot, Božidar Dejanović from the Serbian List will face Srećko Spasić from the Serbian National Unity.

The turnout in these elections was 39 percent.

According to data from the Central Election Commission, 2.069.098 citizens had the right to vote.

Around 44.000 of them were able to vote by mail from abroad between September 17th and October 11th.

The process went smoothly, without any major incidents.