3rd Giro d’Italia leg during election day prompts SP to request extended voting hours in Vlora
The Socialist Party (PS) has formally requested the Central Election Commission (CEC) to extend voting hours until 22:00 on election day, May 11, in parts of Vlora County. The request comes as the international cycling event Giro d’Italia is expected to cause major traffic disruptions in the area.
Why is this important: The Giro d’Italia, one of the world’s most prominent cycling races, will pass through Vlora on the same day as Albania’s parliamentary elections. With road closures anticipated to last over four hours, access to at least 55 polling stations in the region may be significantly impacted. SP argues that the measure is necessary to protect citizens’ right to vote. Vlora is an SP bastion and SP has a real chance to obtain one additional MP in these election, but this hinges on the increased participation of voters.
Context: In an official letter addressed to CEC Chair Ilirjan Celibashi, Socialist Party political leader for Vlora, Bledar Çuçi, outlined the problem. The Vlora Municipality informed the party that 14 major roads will be blocked due to the cycling event, affecting traffic and access to polling centers.
Citing logistical difficulties for voters during the race, Çuçi asked that voting hours at the affected locations be extended from the usual closing time to 10:00 PM. He emphasized that the change is essential to “guarantee the constitutional right to vote and ensure an unhindered electoral process.”
The request includes a detailed list of the affected roads and polling stations, prepared by the Vlora Municipality and submitted along with the letter.
What’s next: The CEC is expected to review the request promptly, given the time-sensitive nature of both the election and the cycling event. It is unclear yet whether a formal decision will be issued before the end of Saturday.
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