We are 59 days away from the elections and the CEC is working intensively and responsibly for the preparation and organisation of April 25, 2021 elections.

1. PREPARATIONS FOR THE ELECTION PROCESS 

a)     Electoral Subjects

So far the following electoral subjects are registered:

–   46 political parties

–  8 initating committees that will coordinate the work for representation of 8 candidates in the Regions of Gjirokastër, Tiranë, Lezhë, Dibër, Shkodër and Berat.

Three requests for registration of coalitions are registered as follows:

a. Alliance for Change – 13 parties

1. Democratic Party;
2. Republicans Party;
3. Party for Justice, Integration and Unity;
4. Agrarian Environmental Party;
5. Human Rights Union Party;
6. Demo-Christian Party;
7. National Development Movement Party;
8. Legality Movement Party;
9. New Democratic Spirit Party;
10. Liberal Democrat Union Party;
11. Democratic National Front Party;
12.   Democratic Union Party;
13. Democratic Christian Party.

b. Alliance National Hour, Emigration, Popular Union and Conservatives – 4 parties:

1. National Conservative Party Albania;
2. Hour of Albania Party;
3. Albanian Emigration Party;
4. Popular Union of Albanian Pensioners.

c. Alliances – 7 parties

1. Alliance for European Equality and Justice;
2. The Party of People with Disabilities of Albania;
3. Albanian Laborist Movement Party;
4. Albanian Democratic Reforms Party;
5. Albanian Democratic Alliance Party;
6. Alliance for Democracy and Solidarity Party;
7. The Party for Protection of Emigrants ‘Rights.

b) Voters’ list / Voting Center 

Yesterday the deadline expired for the revision of the list upon the voters’ request. I would like to take the opportunity to appeal to all the citizens to check the address and location of the voting centers, as there will be no changes to the electoral data  in the the voting centers ( except for exemptions). Due to the earthquake, the addresses of the voting centers may have changed and this is the case for the citizens to be attentive and check if their voting, center, even though with the same number, has changed its location.

The total number of voters according to the latest extract ( February 2,2021) of the General Directorate of the Civil Status Office (DPGjC) is  3.594.872 voters.

According to data from DPGJC, the number of citizens whose ID and passport expires  is 932.000 Given the concern of various political parties and the citizens, the CEC will send an official request to the Ministry of the Interior and the Council of Ministers to extend the validity of these ID documents at least until April 30

c)     Multi-member lists/decriminalization

After March 8th, which is the deadline for the submission of multi-member lists by electoral subjects,  the CEC will initiate the process of verification of self declaration forms of candidates for MP. We have set up the necessary infrastructure so that this process is finalized as soon as possible.

We have also built a system which posts in real time the data delivered by MP candidates, in order to guarantee a total transparency. The verification will be made in cooperation with the General Directorate of Prisons, the General Directorate of Civil Status Office and in special cases, the General Attorney’s Office.

2. ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION OF VOTERS 

On Saturday, in the premises of the Palace of Congresses, a demonstration of the functionality of the Electronic Device of Voters Identification took place, which will be used in April 25, 2021 parliamentary elections. 

 The process of electronic identification shall involve the same identification principles as the manual process and will not substantially change, prolong or complicate the voters identification process. In order to check the functionality of the device, a voting process was simulated. 

 We are working to have two additional demonstrations in two other Regions by the middle of March.

3.      ELECTRONIC VOTING AND COUNTING  

As you are aware, the Regulatory Commission (RC) passed several amendments to the RC Decision no. 4, dated 13.11.2020, “On the type and technical criteria to be met by electronic systems and voting and counting devices which are procured and used in elections in the Republic of Albania”.

 The amendment, which specifies the implementation of a pilot project in one Election Administration Zone in Tirane Municipality, with no more than 55 voting centers under its jurisdiction.

During consultations with political parties, an informal agreement was reached on Administrative Unit no.8 and Administrative Unit no.3 in Tirana, as Units where the implementation of the electronic voting and counting pilot project would take place. However, no final decision has been reached and we are still waiting for a final confirmation on this issue.

4. MONITORING OF VCCs AND BCCs  THROUGH CAMERAS 

The CEC is in the stage of implementation of the video monitoring project in all BCCs In addition, work has started for the implementation of the video monitoring project in the Voting Center.    

5. VOTING FROM ABROAD 

The working group, established to assess the alternative of voting from abroad, has drafted the project “On Rules of Registration of voters who vote from abroad”.

The draft was shared with the political parties and civil society actors for consultation.  

The working group is being focused on the voting procedure and regulation of administration regarding the voting procedure from abroad, the way of administration of ballots from abroad and the counting procedures. 

6. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

In the prohibited activities interface, 345 entities are registered, which have reported 642 activities. So far, 41 complaints have been filed, out of which: 

o   25 complaints are resolved with a decision ;

o   15 are being reviewed ;

o   1  complaint  filed ( individual) is totally outside the area of the CEC competence and there is no decision / No written ruling.

7. FUNDING OF POLITICAL PARTIES 

The CEC adopted the Decision no. 10 dated  24 .12. 2020, “On adoption of the regulation and templates for calculation of the monetary value of the gifts, services, loans and credits for election purposes, or political gains by political parties and candidates during the election campaign”.

We are in the stage of drafting and adoption of other by laws related to monitoring of the campaign, controlling, reporting of the financing, etc. In drafting these regulations, the CEC is assisted by NDI, while the process of introduction and implementation is assisted by the Council of Europe.

8. BUDGET 

The annual funds allocated to political parties in the form of financial support by the CEC amounts to 140 mln lek. The budget is allocated after the multi member lists are approved.