The elections were held in four places where they were supposed to have been decided in December but were moved after tensions rose in the region. The unrest, in turn, began when the main Serbian parties announced that they would boycott the elections.
The elections are being held to fill the seats left vacant after Serbian MPs walked out in protest at the government’s actions during the protracted conflict over license plates between Serbia and Kosovo last fall.
The boycott means that parties for ethnic Albanians in theory gain control of all local districts. However, it remains to be seen whether the results will be upheld.
There have been tensions between Kosovo and Serbia and Kosovo since the country declared its independence in 2008, which Serbia has never recognized. The situation worsened last autumn and Kosovo closed the main border crossing with Serbia.
In March, Kosovo and Serbia were said to agree to normalize the relationship between the countries. But no agreement was ever signed and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic insisted that no “final” agreement had been reached.
No violence has been reported in connection with Sunday’s election.