Local government elections in the northern part of Kosovo and Metohija are being conducted with minimal voter turnout, driven largely by a boycott among Serbs living in the region. The situation has been reported by Kosovo Online.
The electoral process covers four municipalities: North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavić. In previous cycles, the Serbian List party dominated the representative and executive bodies, but for this round the party announced a boycott, arguing that the Kosovo government aims to remove Serbs from the area. The decision was supported by the local population. Only one candidate of Serbian nationality is expected to be on the ballot.
More than 45,000 eligible voters are registered, with Albanians constituting fewer than two percent of the electorate.
When the stations opened for voting at 7:00 am local time in the north of Kosovo, the streets were notably quiet, with the only noticeable activity provided by police in front of the polling sites, some NATO KFOR patrols, and a small presence of reporters. Access to the polling stations for observers or voters was restricted in several locations, as reported by a correspondent from Kosovo Online.
President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that representatives of the Serb community in Kosovo will refrain from participating in local elections until the Union of Serbian Municipalities is established in accordance with the Brussels agreements. This stance reflects ongoing political friction surrounding the governance framework in the region, including commitments tied to the European-backed accords. The situation remains a focal point for discussions about Serbia-Kosovo relations and the status of Serb communities within Kosovo.