CEC’s arbitrary ban on electronic results fuels misinformation and undermines trust

In an unusual, controversial, and apparently unlawful move, Albania’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has postponed the publication of electronic voting results from Vorë and Tirana’s Unit 10 until Monday morning—despite the fact that results from both areas are finalized and ready for release.

Why is this important: The decision, announced by Chief Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi, directly contradicts the CEC’s own rules, which require preliminary electronic results to be made public immediately after polls close. This was, in fact, one of the key promises behind the adoption and promotion of electronic voting. Critics say the delay lacks legal grounding, undermines transparency, and risks distorting public perception of the election outcome—especially since results from several voting centers in Vorë have already been leaked and widely circulated.

Context: Under existing procedure, electronic voting results are automatically printed, distributed to local commissioners and observers, submitted to the central system, and publicly released. Summary tables are generated instantly, allowing for immediate publication. But on Sunday night, Celibashi announced that—reportedly following a request from the Democratic Party (DP)—results would be withheld until manual counting in other areas is underway.

The decision sparked swift backlash. The Socialist Party (SP) denied having agreed to the delay and called the move arbitrary and politically driven. Legal experts and commentators also condemned the decision, calling it a violation of both legal standards and the spirit of electoral transparency. “Millions were spent on electronic voting to ensure speed and clarity—this delay defies logic,” said one analyst.

What else: The situation escalated further after two voting centers in Vorë went ahead and published their results, showing a decisive SP lead. These were the same centers where DP Secretary General Flamur Noka had earlier caused disruption by threatening voters and election officials. SP supporters began celebrating openly, while DP-aligned voices flooded social media with fake tallies and unverified claims, accusing the CEC of engaging in a cover-up.

DP figures have paradoxically accused the CEC of manipulating results—despite reportedly being the party that requested the delay. In response, Celibashi insisted the postponement was agreed upon by all parties.

Observers warn that the delay is not a procedural footnote, but a serious breach that risks damaging public trust. The legal obligation to publish electronic results remains clear. With growing calls for transparency, pressure is mounting on the CEC to reverse course and release the full results without further delay.

Looking ahead: It remains to be seen whether Celibashi will respond to calls from the SP, legal experts, and much of the media to comply with the law and publish the results. But the damage may already be done: the decision has created needless tension, invited misinformation, and cast a shadow over the integrity of an otherwise well-organized election.