Berisha conditions Electoral Code amendments on voting rights for undocumented Albanians abroad

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has reiterated his party’s stance on amendments to Albania’s electoral code, prioritizing their proposal to allow Albanians without Albanian-issued identification documents to vote in the May 11 elections using only biometric identification from their country of residence. Berisha declared that the Democrats will not support amendments proposed by the Central Election Commission (CEC) which are backed by the Socialist Party. He also warned of extending civil disobedience campaigns, currently taking place in the streets of Tirana, to Albanian embassies and consulates worldwide, accusing diplomats of being tools for Socialist-led voter manipulation.

Why is this important: By making their vote conditional on amendments to the electoral code, the Democratic Party risks delaying the distribution of ballots to Albanian emigrants, a process already facing logistical challenges. The CEC’s proposed changes aim to expedite candidate registration deadlines, enabling earlier production and distribution of ballots. The postal services involved in delivering and returning ballots have requested additional time to ensure the process meets legal deadlines. However, the Democrats’ mid-process demand to allow emigrants with foreign-issued ID but no Albanian documentation to vote seeks to change election rules halfway through the preparations. Thus, while claiming to fight for the voting rights of Albanians abroad, the Democrats risk jeopardizing the entire diaspora’s ability to participate in the electoral process.

Context: The electoral code amendments, drafted by the CEC and informally negotiated between the Socialists and Democrats, were submitted to Parliament and are slated for debate after February 3. The amendments require a three-fifths majority (84 votes) to pass, making collaboration between the two largest parties essential. Any delays or additional conditions could jeopardize the ability to finalize and implement these amendments in time for the upcoming election, potentially disenfranchising emigrant voters and disrupting the election timeline.

What else: The CEC’s current system allows registration only for voters with Albanian biometric IDs, even if expired, to ensure the integrity of the process. The Democrats’ newly introduced condition has drawn criticism as a potential attempt to obstruct emigrant voting, undermining a prior bipartisan agreement on electoral amendments. Their threat of “civil disobedience” abroad echoes previous elections, where, facing likely defeat, the Democrats sought to delegitimize the process in advance by making claims and setting ultimatums as preconditions for participation and recognition of the elections.