Socialist Party files complaint over diaspora voting irregularities, demands CEC action

The Socialist Party (SP) has filed a formal complaint with the CEC (Central Election Commission), citing a series of irregularities in the ongoing diaspora voting process. The issues reportedly involve failures by the contracted delivery company, DHL, to follow voting protocols in several countries, particularly Greece and Italy. Albania’s AEPC (Electronic and Postal Communications Authority) is also looking into the problems.

Why is this important: While the diaspora vote marks a historic step for Albania’s electoral process, complaints from SP—and echoed by opposition parties—highlight growing concerns over the integrity and reliability of ballot delivery abroad. From missing ballots and empty envelopes to voters being asked to pay return postage, the incidents have drawn the attention of both CEC and AEPC, the national postal regulatory agency. CEC chief Ilirjan Celibashi has downplayed the issues, calling them isolated, but admitted some problems require attention.

Context: In its letter to CEC, SP documented cases where protocols were allegedly breached, including missing ballots in envelopes sent to voters in the U.S., U.K., Italy, and Greece. Voters in Greece, the letter claims, were sometimes asked to return envelopes at their own expense or to physically deliver them to postal points. Other problems cited include faulty notification systems, improper delivery (leaving ballots at the door or with neighbors), and unreadable barcodes—especially in Brescia, Italy.

AEPC has formally requested CEC to submit a copy of its contract with DHL and to clarify reported issues. The regulatory agency referenced its legal mandate to safeguard consumers’ rights and said it had received complaints from voters abroad.

Separately, CEC’s Celibashi told reporters that fewer than 100 cases have been identified. Regarding the ballots allegedly missing from envelopes, he noted it remains unclear if the issue stems from CEC or the delivery company.

What’s next: AEPC’s intervention and SP’s complaint may prompt a deeper review of the logistics and legal compliance of the diaspora voting framework, a flagship reform touted as a milestone in democratic participation. With just weeks remaining until election day, how these concerns are addressed could impact voter trust and turnout—both at home and abroad.