Albania tests voter registration platform for diaspora ahead of May elections

The Albanian Central Election Commission (CEC) has officially tested its online voter registration platform, a critical step toward enabling Albanian citizens living abroad to participate in the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 11, 2025. These elections mark the first time emigrants will have the opportunity to exercise their voting rights remotely.

Why is this important: The platform must be fully operational by January 11, 2025, to allow a 60-day registration period until March 11. During this time, Albanians residing abroad can register to vote, with their applications subject to review by the CEC to ensure they meet eligibility criteria. Analysts predict that the diaspora vote could play a decisive role in determining the winner of the parliamentary elections.

Context: The process will unfold in phases, as explained by State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi. The initial phase involves setting up accounts on the platform, regardless of whether the applicant’s documents are valid. However, a political decision is still needed to address whether Albanians with expired documents will be allowed to vote.

Additionally, stringent safeguards are in place for the voting process. The CEC mandates that ballots be delivered directly to the registered voter and not to family members or others. If the postal service is unable to deliver the ballot to the voter personally, it is obligated to return it to the CEC.

How diaspora voters can register: 

• Access the platform: Voters must visit the official CEC website and download the platform on their smartphone, computer, or tablet.
• Account creation: Applicants need to provide a valid phone number and email address, set an eight-character password, and verify their account using a six-digit code sent by the CEC.
• Identity verification: Applicants must have a smartphone with a camera to upload a facial scan and scan their passport, ID card, or other relevant documents.
• CEC review: The CEC will review the application within three days to confirm its validity.
• List transfer: Successfully registered voters will be removed from domestic voter rolls and added to the diaspora voter list.
• Ballot delivery: Verified voters will receive their ballots via mail at the verified address they provided. Completed ballots must be returned to the CEC using the same postal service, with all costs covered by the state budget.

Challenges and considerations: The platform’s successful implementation will depend on addressing key logistical and political issues, including handling expired documents and ensuring strict adherence to postal delivery rules. Transparency and efficiency in this process will be crucial, as the diaspora vote is expected to significantly influence the outcome of the elections.

By introducing this platform, Albania is taking a historic step to enfranchise its diaspora, potentially reshaping its electoral dynamics.