The State Election Commissioner Mr.Ilirjan Celibashi participated in a round table on the current application of the law on decriminalization and the implementation challenges in April 2021 parliamentary elections. The round table was chaired by OSCE presence in Albania and the Embassy of the Netherlands, with the participation of high officials of Central Election Commission, General Prosecutor’s Office, other institutions, representatives of political parties, civil society and the main international partners in Albania that follow closely the implementation of the Law on Decriminalization.

Commissioner Celibashi stated that, “The law on decriminalization indeed gives an answer to the dilemma whether an individual with criminal record can be people’s representative in a democratic system”.

The Central Election Commission and the General Prosecutor’s Office shared their experiences and challenges faced in its implementation in the area of elections over the years.

Participants agreed that the Law on Decriminalization has achieved significant results since its adoption in December 2015, which has led to the dismissal and resignation of a considerable number of high-level state officials, including many in elected positions such as MPs, mayors and local councilors.

State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi’s speech on round table on decriminalization.