CEC demands urgent report from DHL over ballot delivery issues in Greece
Albania’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has formally requested an urgent report from DHL, the company responsible for delivering ballots to diaspora voters, following complaints about significant delays and non-deliveries in Greece.
Why is this important: The request comes amid growing concerns that thousands of Albanian citizens in Greece may be unable to vote in the May 11 parliamentary elections due to problems with the distribution of voting materials. The Democratic Party has filed formal complaints, pointing to potential voter disenfranchisement.
Context: In a letter to DHL, State Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi asked the company to explain the causes of delivery failures, the number of affected voters, and whether documentation was handed over personally or redirected. He demanded answers within a short timeframe, citing the urgency of the electoral process.
The issue has emerged as one of the most serious logistical challenges in Albania’s first experiment with voting by mail for citizens living abroad. Over 68,000 voters are registered in Greece, but only around 25,000 ballots had been returned as of earlier this week.
What else: Political parties have also submitted requests for audits of the ballot delivery process in both Greece and Italy. The KQZ has promised transparency, but logistical hurdles and poor address data appear to be hampering efforts.
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