TIRANA, Feb 13 /ATA/ – State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi called on political parties on Friday to overcome their differences and advance electoral reform well ahead of the 2027 local elections in Albania.
Speaking at a consultative meeting on electoral reform focused on the role of citizens and civil society in drafting and adopting new election legislation, Celibashi said delays in revising the rules risk undermining confidence in the process.
“With the 2027 local government elections approaching, carrying out a last moment reform creates uncertainty and erodes trust among all actors involved,” he said.
The meeting was organised by Civic Action, a civic initiative bringing together activists and professionals advocating stronger democratic governance and institutional integrity in Albania.
Celibashi said it was in the interest of political parties, citizens and the Central Election Commission that electoral rules be clarified well in advance of any vote.
“It is in the interest of political parties, citizens and the CEC as the body responsible for administering elections that the rules of the game are clear long before the electoral process begins,” he said.
He also expressed the Central Election Commission’s readiness to work closely with civil society organisations to produce consensus-based proposals.
Participants discussed key issues that electoral reform should address, including political party financing, the conduct of public institutions during election campaigns, electronic voting and counting, out-of-country voting, referendums, the consolidation of electoral rules and a review of the law on political parties.
/m.q/j.p/r.e/u.sh/
