The latest OSCE/ODIHR report also identified the dividing line between the state and the ruling party as one of the main problems with elections and have requested immediate addressing of this matter.

Celibashi emphasized that the upcoming electoral reform should improve the legal guarantees in this regard, while also presenting five concrete proposals.

First, according to Celibashi, the Electoral Code should define in a crystal clear way the notion of “administrative and/or state resources”.

Celibashi also called for the new Electoral Code to clearly sanction the principle of separation between the state and the ruling party.

Celibashi also requested ban of inauguration of public works during election period.

Celibashi also proposed a special regulation for institutional communication on the official websites of institutions, social networks, public communication campaigns, audiovisual materials financed by public funds and institutional digital communication, as according to the head of the CEC, it has become the most sophisticated form of making use of the administrative resources. /m.m/a.f/p.s./

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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During his speech, Celibashi expressed grateful thanks to the attendees and especially Ambassador Michel Tarran and his staff.

Celibashi stated that, “Not only the CEC, but our entire country holds the OSCE in high estimation”.

“Our partnership with the OSCE is fundamental and irreplaceable, yielding concrete results in strengthening the electoral administration, fostering dialogue and building public trust.

“The work of the OSCE Presence has been vital, providing technical support, training and expertise to the Central Election Commission (CEC), while the ODIHR recommendations serve as a practical roadmap for strengthening electoral integrity”, said Celibashi.

Celibashi underlined that, “In face of new electoral challenges, technological developments and the need for approximation with European standards, we called for continued and expanded support, especially for the digitalization of processes and facilitating voting for all Albanian voters”.

“Investing in elections is an investment in democratic stability and in Albania’s European future”, concluded Celibashi. /m.q/ /a.g/p.s./

Young people who voted within the country were joined for the first time in this election by 4,356 first-time voters from the Diaspora.

These data were presented today as part of the discussions of the roundtable held at the Central Election Commission with a focus on increasing the education of young people on elections.

The activity is being held as part of the CEC’s cooperation with the National Agency for Pre-University Education and the Academy of Political Studies, for the education of about 20,000 high school graduates across the country, who became eligible to vote.

The campaign is implemented within the framework of the Council of Europe project, “Strengthening the Integrity of Elections in Albania” and is financially supported by the Federal Republic of Germany.

State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi emphasized that encouraging the young people to participate in electoral processes and their electoral education is a priority of the CEC, reflected in electoral education projects and programs.

Celibashi also emphasized the need for a more systematic approach to educating first-time voters and extending electoral education to future commissioners and trainers, contributing to raising election standards.

Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana Giulia Re expressed her appreciation for the results of the youth education program and at the same time expressed her continued support for the CEC for any initiative that contributes to raising the standards of the country’s democratic processes.

On his part, German Deputy Ambassador Thilo Schroeter underlined that the participation of young people is of fundamental importance for the electoral processes.

While Director of the Academy of Political Studies Erjon Tase presented an analysis of the questionnaires developed with teachers and high school graduates involved in the education campaign for the May 11 elections. /k.s/j.p/p.s./

Speaking in a televised interview on the final OSCE/ODIHR report on Thursday evening, Celibashi said the process showed clear progress but noted that attention should now turn to improving future elections.

“I believe the elections were held to European standards,” he said. “That may sound polarizing when the opposition takes a different stance, but the integrity of the process stands.”

Celibashi said international observers had identified some shortcomings but emphasized that the results carried full legitimacy.

“These elections produced a government legitimate not just formally, but also by the will of the Albanian voters,” he said. “Observers assess the process, not whether a result was influenced by five or ten percent.”

He recalled that only the 1996 elections had ever been deemed invalid by international observers.

Celibashi added that Albania’s current electoral system disadvantages smaller or new parties, suggesting that a mixed model used in the past offered both stability and fairer representation.

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Celibashi made the remarks following the publication of the final report by the OSCE/ODIHR on the May 11 parliamentary elections.

In a press statement, he said that addressing the findings and recommendations of the ODIHR Final Report would demonstrate the institutional and political seriousness and responsibility of all actors involved in the electoral process.

He noted that “judging the assessments of the ‘election judge’ serves no real purpose,” referring to commentary on ODIHR’s evaluations.

“As for the Central Election Commission, the positive assessments – covering nearly all aspects of the preparation and administration of these elections – serve as encouragement to do even better in the future,” Celibashi said.

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Head of the CEC Ilirian Celibashi wrote in a post in the social media today that he received the Secretary General of AWEB (Association of World Election Authorities) In-sik Jang and the delegation accompanying him on his first visit to Albania.

It was on the eve of the two-day meeting of the AWEB Charter Amendment Committee (CAC), which is being held this year in Tirana.

During the meeting, In-sik Jang highlighted Albania’s deep democratic progress and the quality administration of elections, especially in recent years in Albania. Furthermore, AWEB secretary expressed its utmost appreciation for the vital role and essential contributions of the CEC within the organization.

This activity has a historic character, bringing together representatives from five continents to review the AWEB Constitutional Charter, the amendments which date back 20 years ago. /a.f/r.e/p.s./

Celibashi stressed that preparations for the other five municipalities for the by-elections will be held on November 9.

“It is certain that elections will be held for the other five municipalities excluding Tirana, namely in Vlora, Cërrik, Mat, Berat and Tepelena,” Celibashi said.

According to Celibashi, whatever decision the Constitutional Court makes, holding of the electoral process on November 9 in the capital is almost impossible. /m.q/j.p/p.s./

The main opposition party claimed earlier on Friday that dozens of ballot papers had been found in a private establishment and used by the ruling Socialist Party (SP) in the central Albanian town of Peqin, saying that the ballot papers were allegedly used in the so-called “Bulgarian train,” where pre-marked ballots are used to influence election results.

The State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi rejected the allegations in a formal response sent to France Nuri, the legal representative of DP-led opposition’s coalition “Alliance for Magnificent Albania.”

In its formal response, the central election body stated that no cases of unused ballot papers have been found outside the sealed election boxes.

The CEC also clarified that the materials discovered were not part of the official ballot stock and likely belonged to training kits used for staff instruction.

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Celibashi said in a press statement on Thursday that the Central Elections Commission is ready to address any claims by the political parties over alleged election irregularities and manipulations.

“The election management by CEC was successful in every aspect of the process. By saying this, I am not discouraging anyone and I respect the right of everyone to contest and offer evidence to support their claims about what hasn’t gone right,” Celibashi said.

He underlined that the central elections body has the entire documentation and other elements to prove that CEC has set an excellent model in the May 11 vote management.

“I would like to assure everyone that the process has met every standard. We are able to provide any response to the claims regarding CEC responsibility,” he added.

State Election Commissioner also announced that CEC has asked DHL International – the courier contracted to deliver and collect ballots for Albanian citizens registered to vote from abroad – to make available whole electoral documentation regarding the delivery and collection of the ballot papers. He added that the documents will be made available to all political subjects.

Celibashi underlined that the vote counting process at the Olympic Park in Tirana was monitored by the political parties and cameras 24/7.

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