DP candidate referred to SPAK over election incident in Dibër
One day before Albania’s parliamentary elections, Democratic Party (DP) candidate Xhemal Gjunkshi and three of his supporters have been referred to the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) by Dibër Police after stopping a car in Maqellarë on suspicion of vote buying.
Why is this important: The incident adds to mounting concerns over illegal “vote protection” practices by DP members and activists, especially in regions with tight races. Gjunkshi’s actions and those of his associates are now being investigated not only for alleged electoral misconduct, but also for taking the law into their own hands—raising tensions on the eve of elections.
Context: At around 21:15 on the evening of May 9, candidate Xhemal Gjunkshi called police claiming that a vehicle in Maqellarë was being used to distribute cash for votes on behalf of the Socialist Party. The car was intercepted, and two individuals inside were held at the scene by DP supporters until police arrived.
According to the official statement from Dibër Police, investigators quickly determined that DP representatives had acted outside the law by blocking the vehicle and detaining the individuals inside. No illicit materials were found in the car.
Police, under SPAK’s direction, proceeded to launch a full investigation and referred the case for prosecution on charges of “active corruption in elections,” combined with “vigilantism” and “obstruction of road transport.”
What else: This is the second high-profile case during this campaign in which Democratic Party activists have blocked or pursued vehicles based on suspicions of electoral crime. While DP has attempted to frame these acts as part of citizen oversight, officials and observers warn that such actions constitute unlawful behavior and risk provoking violence.
SPAK’s intervention may signal a shift toward tighter scrutiny of electoral misconduct and unofficial policing efforts by political actors.
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