According to the DP press release, 30 minutes after the end of the voting process, the counting process will start. There are 25,000 members of the Democratic Party eligible to vote. Two candidates are competing in this process, former chief democrat Lulzim Basha and Gjergj Hani.

There was a clash within the party on these elections, a matter which was taken to the court. Gazment Bardhi, General Secretary of the Democratic Party and a group of lawmakers called a meeting of the National Council on Thursday evening. It decided cancellation of the electoral process. But, this decision was not taken into account by the leading board of the DP and another group of lawmakers, who entrusted the seal of the blue headquarters to Indrit Sefa, the Secretary for legal affairs in the DP. Sefa stated that the Council called by Bardhi is imaginary and void as far as the legal side is concerned. Thus, Bardhi’s group has filed a report to the Court.

Despite this clash, the blue headquarters is holding today the election process for its new chairman. /p.s./

In a post on social media, after the decision of the National Council of the Democratic Party that canceled the elections for the new chairman of this political force, Basha emphasized that on July 29 the democrats will express their will.

Lulzim Basha considers this date as one of the most important moments for the Democratic Party, since as he put it, voting is not only for the chairman, but also for “starting a new journey.”

According to him, what is important for the present and the future of the DP is the unwavering stance for the national interest and the Euro-Atlantic standards of democracy, equality before the law and fair competition in politics, economy and everywhere.

Regarding the holding of the elections on July 29, there was also a clash in the DP.

On Thursday evening, the National Council of DP called by Gazment Bardhi canceled the election process, while also announcing the freezing of the functions of the chairmanship of the blue headquarters. But, such a thing was not admitted by the leading board and Indrit Sefa, Secretary for Legal Affairs in DP announced that the election process will take place normally.

In a statement to the media after the meeting of the National Council, Gazment Bardhi stated that, “Lulzim Basha can hold the elections, but they will be considered unconstitutional.”

Gjergj Hani is also running for the new chairman of the DP. /p.s./

Through a statement to the media, the board of the Democratic Party noted that,

“Since March 2022, the Democratic Party has made continuous efforts, but to no avail, for the unification of the Democrats.

The board brings to attention the resignation of the chairman Lulzim Basha in order to pave the way for the merger of the party, which did not happen.

“The request for the organization of joint elections was rejected. And so were rejected the request for the selection of candidates in the May 14 elections and the proposal to come up with a common candidate for the May 14 local elections. All these efforts were rejected”, reads the DP statement.

The statement also reads that, “A year has been wasted waiting for the unification, but without result and this has affected the damage and weakening of the Democratic Party”.

In the statement, it is further stated that the leaders of the Democratic Party from the sections, group sections, heads of branches have worked with dedication to prevent the assimilation of the Democratic Party or its annihilation.

“We are determined that the Democratic Party will continue to be an allied party of the USA, Great Britain and the EU, to become an alternative and hope for Albanians in the general elections of 2025. For these reasons, every lost day does not serve neither the Democratic Party nor the Democrats. The Democratic Party must choose its chairman without any delay and start the organization and selection of the teams that will lead this party to the next elections”, it is emphasized in the DP statement.

“The process for electing the chairman should be completed by July 15, 2023. If we continue to wait, then this only serves the project of our political opponents. Not a single day should be lost for the organization of the DP, the election of the chairman and the transformation of the Democratic Party into the political force that Albanians are looking for today”, concluded the statement of the DP. /a.f/p.s./

In a press statement of the DP parliamentary group, after today’s meeting, it is emphasized that this working group will follow these steps: Opening the party and certifying the current membership; the beginning of the election process at the section, group section and branch level, as well as the process of electing the party chairman.

According to the DP parliamentary group, the reorganization of the party aims at uniting the democrats, strengthening the party and building a modern, comprehensive party that creates confidence in the majority of Albanian citizens, engaging and bringing together reputable individuals and who serve the protection of the public interest.

The working group, which also carries out the political direction, sets up working groups at the district level to launch a grassroots awareness campaign with the aim of uniting the democrats, as well as strengthening and organizing the party without any prejudice and avoiding any divisive circumstances or factors.

“For this purpose, there will be made efforts to get the assistance, support and consultation with the European People’s Parties and sister parties”, the statement emphasizes.

Head of the DP parliamentary group Gazment Bardhi said after the meeting that, “The Parliamentary group of the Democratic Party, during this year and a half, has constantly been the only body within the Democratic Party that has coherently called for the unification of the Democrats, that has been against divisions, cracks that lead to the defeat of the opposition and the strengthening of our political opponent”./k.s/r.e/p.s./

Duka is the current chairman of the FSHF and is seeking a sixth four-year-term in office although the city hall has accused him of corruption.

The Verification Commission has already verified the legitimacy of the proposals and the integrity of the candidates proposed for the post of the Chairman and member of the Executive Committee of the Albanian Football Association.

According to the announcement of the Albanian Football Association, after reviewing the proposals submitted by the members, it turned out that the following persons have received the necessary proposals for being the candidate for Chairman of the Albanian Football Association: Armand Duka, Dritan Shakohoxha and Sulejman Starova.

The candidates for member of the Executive Committee of FSHF are 12. They have received the necessary number of proposals to be officially in the race, at least 2 proposals.

The Verification Commission is the body responsible for organization and supervision of the electoral process in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of the Albanian Football Association and the conduct of integrity control, approved by the General Assembly of the FSHF./k.s/j.p/p.s./

Head of the Election Commission in the Democratic Party Jemin Gjana released the voting data until 16.00. He said that 33 thousand and 47 members or 44% of the total number of members have voted. While announcing that, the preliminary result is due at around midnight, but the official result on Monday morning.

Gjana said that the voting process was held normally. “Members with membership cards are not prevented from voting. The absence of a name on the list is an unintentional technical issue,” he said./p.s./

According to the DP Statute, the election in party posts is based on the membership time in the party, contribution to electoral campaigns, professional and political contribution in the party, promotion of DP values and activity in the political and public life, protection of DP interests and the reputation.

Every candidate who meets these criteria is entitled to present the request for running at the Commission where he also fills the form.

The candidacy request should be presented up to May 22./j.p/p.s./

During a TV interview, Zhupa said that, “If the elections were held to the minimum standard, Lulzim Basha would have resigned, but this is not something that can happen when the elections, as the Democratic Party describes them, were an electoral massacre.”

“If we had free and fair elections, at least with the minimum of democratic standards, Lulzim Basha would have resigned and he confirmed this yesterday at the meeting we had at the National Council, where everyone without exception knows that we have not managed to have free and fair elections, rather we have a pair of alienated and manipulated choices. Under these conditions, we cannot call the election thief a winner and steal a success,” she said.

Also, Zhupa said that so far we have two candidates running for party chairman, Basha and Kadilli, but until May 23 there may be other candidates.

Regarding the shift of the date of the elections for the chairman of the Democratic Party from July to June 13, Zhupa said that it happened because tourism is more developed during July./p.s./

DP Secretary General Gazment Bardhi proposed to the National Council opening of the process on May 16 up to May 22; on May 23 is the date to forward the candidates and on June 13 it will be the election day.

DP ratified the decision of the National Council for beginning of electoral process for the new chairman of the party.

The campaign will take place between May 24 to June 11.

Lulzim Basha will re-run for chairman on May 24 to June 11. His challenger will be the member of the DP leading board, former MP Fatbardh Kadilli who has already formalized the candidacy.

DP also proposed the names of the responsible commission for election of chairman.  /p.s./