Serbs in Kosovo will be barred to vote in upcoming elections only in Serbia: Election Commission

Serbs living in Kosovo will not be able to vote in next month's Serbian general elections, said the Election Committee on Thursday.

Serbs in Kosovo for the snap general elections in neighboring Serbia set for December 17, Anadolu reports.

However, Serbs in Kosovo will be able to vote in the snap general elections in Serbia set for Dec. 17 in Vranje, Kursumlija, Raska, and Tutin.

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija, a coordination body of the Serbian government, informed the commission that 'it is not possible to implement an election procedure in Kosovo that would be in accordance with legal regulations", said the president of the commission, Vladimir Dimitrijevic.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said earlier that they need a special agreement with Serbia so that members of the Serbian community in Kosovo who have dual citizenship can vote in Serbian parliamentary elections on the territory of Kosovo.

However, Anadolu on Tuesday reported that Serbs in Kosovo will not be able to vote, according to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

Aleksandar Vucic's remarks came when Anadolu asked whether NATO will take additional security measures for the Serbs in Kosovo for the snap general elections in neighboring Serbia set for Dec.17.

Vucic claimed that Serbs are going to be barred from their basic rights due to Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti's involvement in the electoral process.

Serbs living in Kosovo were not allowed by Kosovar authorities to participate in the last Serbian elections held in 2020 when the alliance led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) led by Vucic at the time came to power.

Next month, Serbians will vote on all the members of Serbia's 250-seat parliament as well as the 120-seat Assembly of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and the municipal councils of cities and districts across the country.

General elections in Serbia are held at least every four years.
Under a UN Security Council resolution, NATO has led a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo since 1999. Currently, the mission has approximately 4,500 troops contributed by 27 NATO allies and partners.

Türkiye took command of NATO's Kosovo Force (KFOR) on Oct. 9, with Ulutas formally assuming charge at a ceremony in Pristina.

Among 27 NATO member countries and partners, Türkiye has the second-largest contingent in KFOR, contributing 780 of its approximately 4,500 soldiers.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and was recognized by many countries, including Türkiye. But Belgrade has never recognized Kosovo and claims that it is still part of Serbia.