Today, at the Committee on Legal Affairs, Public Administration, and Human Rights (Law Committee), the State Election Commissioner, Ilirjan Celibashi, presented the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) technical proposals for amendments to the Electoral Code regarding voting from abroad.

Proposals:

• Modification of deadlines related to the registration of electoral subjects.
• Amendment of the legal provision that currently places the cost of returning the ballot paper to the CEC on the voter. Since state budget funds have been allocated to cover all postal expenses for sending and returning ballots from abroad, this provision should be revised accordingly.
• Revision of the procedure for counting and assessing ballots cast from abroad. The proposed change aims to enhance transparency and allow political representatives to supervise the counting process while maintaining a technical component under the direct administration of the CEC.
• Registration requests for the list of voters residing outside the territory of the Republic of Albania should be submitted to the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Tirana no later than 30 days before election day. This request may also be submitted online through an electronic platform approved by the High Judicial Council.

These proposals result from consultations conducted by the CEC with representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders engaged in the process.