Kosovan presidential election, 2016

Presidential elections were held in Kosovo on 26 February 2016. At first, they were planned to be held in 2013 following constitutional changes expected to be passed after the compromise reached after the indirect 2011 presidential elections.^[1] However, on 6 July 2012, the Constitutional Court ruled that the presidential term could not be cut short in this way.^[2]

Former Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi was elected after a third round of voting.

The Constitutional Court found no irregularities in the election.^[3]

Electoral system

In order to be elected, a candidate was required to receive at least 80 votes in the first two rounds of voting, equivalent to two-thirds of the 120 members of the Assembly. In the third round, the requirement was reduced to a simple majority of 60 votes.^[4]

Results

Candidate	Party	First round		Second round		Third round
		Votes	%	Votes	%	Votes	%
Hashim Thaçi	Democratic Party	50	92.6	64	97.0	71	100
Rafet Rama	Democratic Party	4	7.4	2	3.0	0	0
Invalid/blank votes		27	–	15	–	10	–
Total		81	100	81	100	81	0
Registered voters/turnout		120	67.5	120	67.5	120	67.5
Source: Albeu, Balkan Insight

References

1. Kosovo Elects New President To Resolve Political Impasse RTT News, 4 August 2011
2. Constitutional Court says political deal cannot shorten Kosovo president's 5-year mandate The Washington Post, 6 July 2012
3. Judgement of 04.04.2016 n° KO 47-16
4. Hashim Thaci is the new president of Kosovo Albeu, 26 January 2016