2002 Kosovan local elections

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Local elections were held throughout Kosovo on 26 October 2002, organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).[1] This was the second local electoral cycle held in Kosovo after the start of the UNMIK mandate in 1999.

In each municipality, elections were held for municipal assemblies under a system of proportional representation. The elected representatives in each jurisdiction were responsible for choosing an assembly president, who held the rank of mayor. (Beginning with the next local electoral cycle in 2007, mayors were directly elected.)

The Serb community, which had generally boycotted the last round of local voting in 2000, participated in the vote in five predominantly Serb municipalities: Zubin Potok, Zvečan, Leposavić, Novo Brdo, and Štrpce.

In northern Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbs generally abstained from voting. Milan Ivanović, the leader of the Serbian National Council in northern Kosovo, said that UNMIK had not provided any guarantees that the Kosovska Mitrovica municipal assembly would be decentralized, nor had it created adequate security and institutional conditions for Serb participation. He added that the Serb community was not boycotting the elections in northern Kosovska Mitrovica as such but was rather giving the international community the opportunity to organize new elections once its conditions had been met.[2]

In the rest of the province, Serb participation in the electoral process was minimal.[3]

## Results[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2022)

|

### Gjakova District[edit]

#### Gjakova[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic League of Kosovo| 15,540| 39.97| 17
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 9,038| 23.24| 10
| Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo| 4,909| 12.63| 5
| Democratic Union of Gjakova| 2,881| 7.41| 3
| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 2,772| 7.13| 3
| New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo| 1,411| 3.63| 2
| Liberal Party of Kosovo| 834| 2.14| 1
| Coalition "Return"| 435| 1.12| –
| Social Democratic Party of Kosovo| 229| 0.59| –
| Ashkali Albanian Democratic Party of Kosovo| 184| 0.47| –
| Albanian National Democratic Party| 180| 0.46| –
| People's Movement of Kosovo| 157| 0.40| –
| Civic Initiative "Of the Roma of Kosovo"| 107| 0.28| –
| National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo| 99| 0.25| –
| Bosniak Party of Democratic Action of Kosovo| 54| 0.14| –
| Vatan| 52| 0.13| –
Total| 38,882| 100.00| 41
Source: [4]

Incumbent mayor Aqif Shehu of the Democratic League of Kosovo was confirmed for another term in office after the election. The Gjakova municipal council voted to remove Shehu from office in late 2005, but their decision was overturned by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).[5] Shehu appears to have broken with the local LDK leadership during this term.

#### Deçan[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic League of Kosovo| 9,210| 48.64| 15
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 8,674| 45.81| 15
| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 606| 3.20| 1
| Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo| 195| 1.03| –
| New Party of Kosovo| 84| 0.44| –
| Liberal Party of Kosovo| 81| 0.43| –
| National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo| 44| 0.23| –
| People's Movement of Kosovo| 41| 0.22| –
Total| 18,935| 100.00| 31
Source: [6]

Ibrahim Selmanaj of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo became mayor after the election. He resigned in 2005 after being appointed as a minister in the Kosovo government and was replaced by Nazmi Selmanaj of the same party.[7][8]

#### Rahovec[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic League of Kosovo| 9,776| 48.80| 15
| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 6,408| 31.99| 10
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 1,826| 9.11| 3
| Coalition "Return"| 610| 3.04| 1
| Justice Party| 609| 3.04| 1
| People's Movement of Kosovo| 327| 1.63| 1
| New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo| 171| 0.85| –
| National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo| 147| 0.73| –
| Liberal Party of Kosovo| 104| 0.52| –
| Civic Initiative "Of Kosovo"| 55| 0.27| –
Total| 20,033| 100.00| 31
Source: [9]

Incumbent mayor Esad Haxhijaha of the Democratic League of Kosovo was confirmed for a new term in office after the election.[10] He later joined the breakaway Democratic League of Dardania.[11]

### Mitrovica District[edit]

#### Leposavić[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic Party of Serbia| 992| 25.00| 5
| Civic Initiative "Socialist Leposavić for Kosmet in Serbia"| 768| 19.35| 3
| Serbian National Council of Northern Kosmet| 717| 18.07| 3
| Coalition "Return"| 530| 13.36| 2
| Serbian Renewal Movement| 312| 7.86| 1
| Civic Initiative "For Return and Reconciliation"| 217| 5.47| 1
| Veselin Radović| 182| 4.59| 1
| Coalition "Together"| 139| 3.50| 1
| Social Democracy| 65| 1.64| –
| Civic Initiative "Of the Roma of Kosovo"| 46| 1.16| –
Total| 3,968| 100.00| 17
Source: [12]

Velimir Bojović of the Democratic Party of Serbia was chosen as mayor after the election.[13]

#### Mitrovica[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic League of Kosovo| 16,516| 53.48| 23
| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 10,562| 34.20| 15
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 1,763| 5.71| 2
| Justice Party| 391| 1.27| 1
| Vatan| 280| 0.91| –
| Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo| 229| 0.74| –
| Liberal Party of Kosovo| 138| 0.45| –
| Coalition "Return"| 134| 0.43| –
| Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo| 123| 0.40| –
| People's Movement of Kosovo| 122| 0.40| –
| Serbian National Council of Northern Kosmet| 104| 0.34| –
| Green Party of Kosovo| 101| 0.33| –
| Balli Kombëtar| 88| 0.28| –
| Civic Initiative "Of Kosovo"| 78| 0.25| –
| Democratic Party of Serbia| 72| 0.23| –
| Social Democratic Party of Kosovo| 68| 0.22| –
| National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo| 66| 0.21| –
| Party of Albanian National Union| 39| 0.13| –
| Civic Initiative "Of the Roma of Kosovo"| 11| 0.04| –
Total| 30,885| 100.00| 41
Source: [14]

Incumbent mayor Faruk Spahija of the Democratic League of Kosovo was confirmed for another term in office after the election.[15] He died of cancer in October 2005[16] and was replaced by Mursel Ibrahimi of the same party.[17]

#### Skenderaj[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 15,601| 81.63| 26
| Democratic League of Kosovo| 2,352| 12.31| 4
| New Party of Kosovo| 529| 2.77| 1
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 194| 1.02| –
| Balli Kombëtar| 135| 0.71| –
| Liberal Party of Kosovo| 114| 0.60| –
| Party of Albanian National Union| 84| 0.44| –
| Albanian National Democratic Party| 47| 0.25| –
| Coalition "Return"| 45| 0.24| –
| Civic Initiative "Srbica"| 11| 0.06| –
Total| 19,112| 100.00| 31
Source: [18]

Incumbent mayor Ramadan Gashi of the Democratic Party of Kosovo was confirmed for another term in office after the election.[19]

#### Vushtrri[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic League of Kosovo| 14,538| 57.12| 18
| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 8,029| 31.55| 10
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 1,362| 5.35| 2
| Justice Party| 418| 1.64| 1
| Liberal Party of Kosovo| 209| 0.82| –
| Coalition "Return"| 186| 0.73| –
| Social Democratic Party of Kosovo| 144| 0.57| –
| Albanian Republican Party| 140| 0.55| –
| People's Movement of Kosovo| 113| 0.44| –
| National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo| 111| 0.44| –
| Democratic Party of Serbia| 99| 0.39| –
| Party of Albanian National Union| 87| 0.34| –
| Movement for Kosovo and Metohija| 16| 0.06| –
Total| 25,452| 100.00| 31
Source: [20]

Incumbent mayor Muharrem Shabani of the Democratic League of Kosovo was confirmed for another term in office after the election.[21]

#### Zubin Potok[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic Party of Serbia| 1,868| 45.80| 8
| Civic Initiative "Socijalisti Kolašina"| 810| 19.86| 4
| Survival Zubin Potok| 308| 7.55| 1
| Democratic League of Kosovo| 221| 5.42| 1
| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 160| 3.92| 1
| Civic Initiative "Kolašin"| 160| 3.92| 1
| Coalition "Return"| 151| 3.70| 1
| Stojan Perović| 99| 2.43| –
| Civic Initiative "Better Life"| 88| 2.16| –
| Social Democracy| 73| 1.79| –
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 72| 1.77| –
| Radovan Kostić| 42| 1.03| –
| Miroslav Radisavljević| 27| 0.66| –
Total| 4,079| 100.00| 17
Source: [22]

Incumbent mayor Slaviša Ristić of the Democratic Party of Serbia was confirmed for another term in office after the election.[23]

#### Zvečan[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Serbian National Council of Northern Kosmet| 1,066| 34.54| 6
| Democratic Party of Serbia| 927| 30.04| 5
| Social Democracy| 423| 13.71| 2
| Coalition "Return"| 362| 11.73| 2
| Serbian Renewal Movement| 308| 9.98| 2
Total| 3,086| 100.00| 17
Source: [24]

Dragiša Milović of the Democratic Party of Serbia was chosen as mayor after the election.[25] Milan Ivanović of the Serbian National Council served as deputy mayor.[26]

### Peja District[edit]

#### Peja[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic League of Kosovo| 20,367| 45.84| 19
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 13,470| 30.32| 12
| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 4,143| 9.32| 4
| Coalition "Return"| 1,179| 2.65| 1
| Vatan| 1,097| 2.47| 1
| New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo| 668| 1.50| 1
| Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo| 661| 1.49| 1
| Riza Lluka| 614| 1.38| 1
| Bosniak Democratic Initiative of Kosovo Husnija Bešković| 585| 1.32| 1
| Justice Party| 313| 0.70| –
| Civic Initiative "Goraždevac"| 230| 0.52| –
| United Roma Party of Kosovo| 230| 0.52| –
| Liberal Party of Kosovo| 181| 0.41| –
| Party of Albanian National Union| 162| 0.36| –
| Civic Initiative "Of the Roma of Kosovo"| 148| 0.33| –
| Bosniak Party of Democratic Action of Kosovo| 128| 0.29| –
| People's Movement of Kosovo| 110| 0.25| –
| Social Democratic Party of Kosovo| 77| 0.17| –
| Ramë Dreshaj| 66| 0.15| –
Total| 44,429| 100.00| 41
Source: [27]

Incumbent mayor Ali Lajçi of the Democratic League of Kosovo was confirmed for another term in office after the election.[28]

#### Istog[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic League of Kosovo| 10,755| 59.44| 18
| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 3,289| 18.18| 6
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 1,740| 9.62| 3
| Coalition "Return"| 557| 3.08| 1
| New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo| 398| 2.20| 1
| Vatan| 358| 1.98| 1
| Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo| 318| 1.76| 1
| New Party of Kosovo| 149| 0.82| –
| Tijanić Obrad| 135| 0.75| –
| Liberal Party of Kosovo| 99| 0.55| –
| Bosniak Party of Democratic Action of Kosovo| 97| 0.54| –
| People's Movement of Kosovo| 78| 0.43| –
| Balli Kombëtar| 68| 0.38| –
| National Movement for the Liberation of Kosovo| 52| 0.29| –
Total| 18,093| 100.00| 31
Source: [29]

Incumbent mayor Fadil Ferati of the Democratic League of Kosovo was confirmed for another term in office after the election.[30]

#### Klina[edit]

Party| Votes| %| Seats

|
|
|

| Democratic League of Kosovo| 6,467| 39.96| 13
| Democratic Party of Kosovo| 5,226| 32.29| 10
| Alliance for the Future of Kosovo| 1,834| 11.33| 4
| Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo| 1,367| 8.45| 3
| Coalition "Return"| 608| 3.76| 1
| New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo| 205| 1.27| –
| People's Movement of Kosovo| 196| 1.21| –
| Liberal Party of Kosovo| 153| 0.95| –
| Party of Albanian National Union| 79| 0.49| –
| Balli Kombëtar| 50| 0.31| –
Total| 16,185| 100.00| 31
Source: [31]

Incumbent mayor Ramë Manaj of the Democratic League of Kosovo was confirmed for another term in office after the election.[32] He resigned in 2006 and was replaced by Prenkë Gjetaj.[33]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Report on the municipal elections in Kosovo 26 October 2002, Observation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE), Council of Europe, 8 January 2003, accessed 2 February 2022.
2. ^ "Local Kosovo Serb leader explains reasons for boycott of polls in Mitrovica," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 22 October 2002 (Source: Text of report by Yugoslav state news agency Tanjug).
3. ^ Report on the municipal elections in Kosovo 26 October 2002, Observation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe (CLRAE), Council of Europe, 8 January 2003, accessed 2 February 2022.
4. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
5. ^ "Kosovo UN chief annuls municipal council decision to dismiss mayor," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 6 November 2005 (Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 4 Nov 05).
6. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
7. ^ Deçani – Raporti komunal, Instituti për Studime të Avancuara GAP, November 2009, accessed 19 March 2024.
8. ^ "Vëllai i Kryetarit Furnizon Komunën e Deçanit", Kallxo, 5 March 2012, accessed 19 March 2024.
9. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
10. ^ "Kush ishte ish-kryetari i Rahovecit Esad Haxhijaha", Syri, 21 January 2020, accessed 20 March 2024.
11. ^ ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2007 – Fletëvotimet (Raundi i parë) – Rahovec, Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 18 January 2022.
12. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
13. ^ "Leš još u Ibru", Glas javnosti, 7 April 2003, accessed 2 February 2022.
14. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
15. ^ "Report of the Security Council Mission to Kosovo and Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia", United Nations Security Council, 19 December 2002, accessed 4 February 2022.
16. ^ "Ethnic Albanian mayor of Kosovo's divided Mitrovica dies," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 4 October 2005 (Source: Text of report in English by independent internet news agency KosovaLive).
17. ^ "Negociatorët pro projektit të Mitrovicës", British Broadcasting Corporation Albanian, 19 April 2016, accessed 4 February 2022.
18. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
19. ^ AGJENCIA PËR NDIHMË JURIDIKE FALAS, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 2 February 2022.
20. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
21. ^ "Report of the Security Council Mission to Kosovo and Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia", United Nations Security Council, 19 December 2002, accessed 4 February 2022.
22. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
23. ^ Председништво, Archived 2016-08-14 at the Wayback Machine, Democratic Party of Serbia, 14 August 2016, accessed 11 January 2022.
24. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
25. ^ "Nema odluke o produženju mandata", Politika, 9 June 2008, accessed. 25 January 2022.
26. ^ Biljana Radomirović, "Београд тражи изборе на Космету, Унмик још ћути", Politika, 4 April 2008, accessed 29 January 2021.
27. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
28. ^ Skënder Mulliqi, "Pse Ali Lajçi duhet të jetë kandidat i LV për kryetar të Pejës?", Bota Sot, 17 December 2020, accessed 13 March 2024.
29. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
30. ^ "Vdiq Fadil Ferati, nënkryetar i LDK-së", Bota Sot, 30 January 2010, accessed 17 March 2024.
31. ^ Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
32. ^ Kosovo: Who's Who in the New Government, United States Department of State, 2007, accessed 17 March 2024.
33. ^ OSCE Magazine, Octobre 2006, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, p. 14.

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