Today, the State Election Commissioner, Mr. Ilirjan Celibashi, held a discussion with media representatives regarding the progress of preparations for the parliamentary elections scheduled for May 11, 2025.

During the meeting, the Commissioner expressed appreciation for the Albanian Parliament’s approval of amendments to the Electoral Code, as proposed by the Central Election Commission (CEC).

Key Changes Related to Out-of-Country Voting

Right to Appeal for Out-of-Country Voters

If a voter who has applied for registration as an out-of-country voter finds that they are not listed or that their information is incorrect, they have the right to submit a request to the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Tirana up to 30 days before the elections.
The request can be submitted online through an electronic platform approved by the High Judicial Council, eliminating the need for physical presence in court.

Costs of Ballot Paper Transmission

The State Budget will cover all financial costs related to the transmission and return of the ballot paper between the CEC and voters residing abroad.

Counting and Assessment of Out-of-Country Votes

The process will be carried out by a commission consisting of four members and a secretary, appointed by the CEC:

• Two members proposed by the largest party of the parliamentary majority.
• Two members proposed by the largest party of the parliamentary minority.
• The secretary, a legal professional, will be appointed through an open application process.

The counting teams will be composed of two members:

• One member from the largest party of the parliamentary majority.
• One member from the largest party of the parliamentary minority.

Changes in Electoral Subject Registration Deadlines

• 75 days before the elections – Deadline for political parties to submit requests for registration as electoral subjects.
• 70 days before the elections – Deadline for the registration of electoral coalitions.
• 60 days before the elections – Deadline for the submission of multi-name candidate lists.

Other Amendments to the Electoral Code

• Regulations on the broadcasting of political advertisements for candidates on multi-name lists subject to preferential voting.
• New provisions on the financial expenditures of electoral subjects and candidates.

Key Deadlines in the Electoral Process

• February 25 – Deadline for the registration of political parties and initiating committees.
• February 25 – CEC publishes the preliminary list of out-of-country voters.
• March 7 – Deadline for the registration of electoral coalitions.
• March 12 – Deadline for the submission of multi-name candidate lists.
• March 17 – Deadline for the verification of candidate documentation.
• March 20 – Deadline for the completion of candidacy documentation.
• March 25 – Deadline for the approval of multi-name lists.

The State Election Commissioner emphasized that the additional 10-day period gained through the adjustment of deadlines has contributed to better preparation of electoral documentation for out-of-country voters.

Election Preparations

• All 93 Electoral Administration Zones (KZAZs) across the country have been constituted and are fully operational.
• 114,780 voters will be voting for the first time in these elections.

Commissioner Celibashi reiterated his appeal to all Albanian citizens residing abroad whose registration requests on the PER platform have been rejected to reattempt their application within the designated deadlines.

The CEC has made an assistance service available through all communication channels and has established a dedicated system for booking direct support calls with CEC structures.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the CEC responded to journalists’ questions on various issues related to the electoral process preparations.