According to a press release, prosecutors are looking into a total of 47 cases of suspected electoral crime.

Out of 107 complaints filed, six of them have been referred to the Special Anti-Corruption and Anti-Crime Prosecution Structure (SPAK), 16 of them have been dismisses, whereas 35 are still being reviewed.

Tirana recorded the highest number of cases (33), followed by the north-eastern region of Diber (17) and central Albania municipality of Elbasan (12).

Referrals came from judicial police (64 cases), SPAK (17), political parties (9 cases), and private citizens.

The charges involve vote-buying, intimidation, falsification, and misuse of public office. Seven individuals have been arrested, and four others face warrants.

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SPAK said on Tuesday it has registered 115 reports related to electoral offences, including complaints filed by the political parties, referrals by State Police, SPAK-initiated investigations, online reports, and public complaints.

Of the total, 25 complaints were submitted by political parties. The online platform received 35 reports, and 35 criminal proceedings have been formally registered.

Eight of these proceedings were launched directly by SPAK.

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In his remarks at cavity society forum on the May 11 general elections on Friday, SPAK chief vowed that investigations will be swift, impartial, and free from political influence.

Dumani said that “no one should be afraid as long as they are fulfilling their legal and constitutional duties.”

He stressed the need for institutional cooperation and rapid investigations to maintain public trust.

“Our investigations will be strictly by the law, without political influence,” SPAK chief stated, underlining that any delays would fuel suspicions and uncertainty.

SPAK has also formalized collaboration with the General Prosecutor’s Office to clarify jurisdiction and ensure swift action and to enforce the strategy on preventing electoral fraud.

“We have agreed to enhance collaboration in investigating into electoral offences, clearly determining how to handle expediting cases,” Dumani added.

Dumani emphasized that, “elections are inextricably linked to the rule of law, the fight against corruption, good governance, transparency and accountability, which are part of the first cluster of negotiations with the EU.”

He pledged real-time investigations rather than post-election probes, aligning with legal obligations and international recommendations.

“This plan addresses concerns from watchdogs and global observers, ensuring timely prosecution of election crimes,” SPAK chief said.

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British Ambassador praised SPAK’s efforts to strengthen Albanian democracy through investigation of electoral offenses, particularly now that the country prepares for the May 11 general elections.

“In the run up to elections, we welcome SPAK’s efforts to support Albanian democracy through investigation of electoral crimes. In its five years of operation, SPAK has become one of Albania’s most trusted institutions and is internationally recognized as such,” British Embassy said in a statement on Tuesday.

British Embassy stated that he UK remains committed to partnering with SPAK, with plans for further collaboration in 2025.

Last month, SPAK unveiled a strategy to investigate and prevent election-related offences ahead of upcoming general elections. The strategy includes establishing a special investigative unit, monitoring on the ground, media surveillance, and financial oversight.

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Asked by the Democratic Party lawmaker Albana Vokshi about SPAK investigation into the electoral crimes,” SPAK chief prosecutor Dumani said that 50 criminal proceedings were probed in 2023 and eight suspects have been under investigation on election-related crimes.

“During a hearing at the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, I have already announced that a strategy on the fight against electoral crime is nearing completion. The strategy will be unveiled in January 2025 and it is our goal to mobilize the needed human and technical resources to look into the potential electoral crimes next year,” Dumani told lawmakers as he reported findings from 2023 investigations at a plenary session of parliament earlier today.

Dumani declined to answer the questions about encrypted criminal EncroChat communications, saying “this is an issue currently under investigation.”

He highlighted close cooperation between SPAK and the international partners, the United States of America, Great Britain and EU rule of law agencies.

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Following the administrative and procedural measures taken by the Prosecutor General to ensure the normal functioning of the Prosecutor’s Office in accordance with constitutional and legal obligations before, during and after the election, the prosecution is committed to investigating criminal offenses in the field of elections, having the competence to act upon the general subject-matter.

According to the reports of the prosecution offices of general jurisdiction on criminal offenses in the field of elections for the pre-election period, the prosecution offices have registered criminal proceedings for 82 notifications of criminal offenses related to the elections

There are currently 10 persons who are being prosecuted for electoral offenses. 4 persons were arrested in flagrante delicto, the security measure “prison arrest” was requested for 3 persons has been accepted.//a.i/