The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way how many countries function in many areas. In addition to health and socio-economic damages which are undoubtedly the greatest of all, the situation has also affected political and institutional developments, especially in countries in which it was an election year for the national or local level. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on organization and conduct of elections, including the risk of virus spreading. The paper elaborates on the importance of holding elections as a democratic form for governance, practices from countries in the region that held elections in 2020, and analysis Kosovo’s capacity to organize elections in the time of pandemic.

Also, an important part of this paper are recommendations that the Political Entities, Candidates for Members of Municipal Assemblies, Electorate, Accredited Observers and Institutions responsible for organization and holding of elections should take into consideration in the next local elections that will be held this year in the time of pandemic.

The preparation of this document was based on the analysis of official data from countries that held elections during the Covid-19 pandemic, reports of national organizations, analysis of NIPHK statistical data on positive cases with Covid-19, and continuous monitoring of the election campaign and other activities related to early elections for the Assembly of Kosovo that were held on February 14, 2021.