Electoral reform/ Celibashi: The issue of voters who cannot exercise their right to vote is problematic

2025-10-21 10:42:00, Politikë CNA

Electoral reform/ Celibashi: The issue of voters who cannot exercise their right

The State Election Commissioner, Ilirjan Celibashi, was present at the conference "30 years of partnership and progress - Albania, the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission".

During his speech, Celibashi focused on electoral reform, where he presented some of the main issues that need to be addressed within the framework of this reform. The head of the CEC said that one problem is the inability to vote of those people who enjoy the right to vote, which includes people who cannot leave their homes for health reasons.

This issue, Celibashi said, must be resolved. Celibashi said another category that cannot exercise the right to vote and that should be enabled is the officials who are on duty on election day, such as police officers or the media.

The CEC head also spoke about the election campaign, saying that the rules should be reviewed and social media campaigns added to the new Electoral Code, as it is not included in the current one.

" Both the majority and the opposition should make every effort to have the changes agreed upon, as soon as possible. If the electoral reform continues to be postponed on the Greek calendars and the changes to the Electoral Code are postponed 1 year or 6 months before the parliamentary elections, we will be in the same situation as today, someone will win and others will contest.

A list of issues that need to be addressed within the framework of electoral reform:

-The manner of organizing second and third level committees.

-Reconsider the rules related to the organization and management of political parties. Especially their financing. We will see what we can do with the financing of new parties.

-Rules for the election campaign. There is nothing in the current code about campaigning on social networks.

-Voting method. We need to decide what we will do with electronic voting, expand it or not.

-The rules on election complaints need to be radically revised.

-Organization and functioning of the CEC. Political parties should decide on a way for this. If we keep this formula, the organization and structuring should be restructured. The CEC enjoys a reputation as an institution that is not under the control of the majority.

-The issue of voters who have the right, but cannot exercise this right, for objective reasons, such as health reasons. There is another category of officials who cannot exercise their right, such as police officers or the media.

-Rules for referendums. We cannot hold referendums.

"-Announcement of the results ," Celibashi declared./ CNA