TIRANA, March 10 /ATA-By Maela Marini/ – The State Election Commissioner Ilirian Celibashi has urged political parties to approve changes to the country’s electoral law by June to allow sufficient time to prepare for the 2027 local elections.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion with public officials and election experts on Tuesday, Celibashi emphasized the importance of transparency and inclusivity throughout the reform process.
“The transparency and inclusiveness of this process are crucial. The quality of this reform depends directly on how it is implemented, which is why we call on political representatives involved in this process to engage constructively,” he said.
Celibashi stressed that the new legislation must be in effect no later than June 2026 so that political parties, the Central Election Commission and other institutions involved have sufficient time to prepare for the 2027 local elections, as outlined in the Electoral Code.
He urged political forces to contribute constructively to a broadly consulted reform that addresses all issues identified in previous elections.
“The reform should address all problems highlighted during past electoral processes. The process must be open and include consultations with institutions, civil society, the judiciary, the media, and relevant election authorities,” Celibashi said.
He added that consultations should be wide-ranging to ensure that legislative changes are based on a thorough and evidence-based analysis, noting that transparency is key to increasing public trust.
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