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For the first time the Albanian diaspora will vote in the general elections
REGISTER WITHIN DEADLINES
USPA NEWS -
Since midnight, hundreds of Albanians living abroad have submitted applications to register as participants in the upcoming elections. The process is carried out through an electronic platform on the Central Election Commission's website or a special application.
According to what State Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi announced, requests have been made from various countries around the world, including almost all continents.
Initially, a personal account is required to be opened, and then, through it, the necessary data is filled in and identification documents and others that prove the correct residence are uploaded, so that the authorities have the address where they will then have to send the ballot.
The application for registration is assessed by the CEC, which must approve it within 5 days. If the application is rejected due to lack of documentation, anyone has the right to reapply, even several times, until March 4, when the registration process closes. After this date, a list of voters from abroad is compiled, and their names are removed from the voter list in Albania.
According to what State Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi announced, requests have been made from various countries around the world, including almost all continents.
Initially, a personal account is required to be opened, and then, through it, the necessary data is filled in and identification documents and others that prove the correct residence are uploaded, so that the authorities have the address where they will then have to send the ballot.
The application for registration is assessed by the CEC, which must approve it within 5 days. If the application is rejected due to lack of documentation, anyone has the right to reapply, even several times, until March 4, when the registration process closes. After this date, a list of voters from abroad is compiled, and their names are removed from the voter list in Albania.
The Speaker of Parliament, Elisa Spiropali, through a message distributed today, while appreciating the contribution of emigrants over the years, called on them to register to participate in the elections " in order to exercise your right and influence in decision-making for our common affairs, so that our Albania can approach as soon as possible the standards of the Western countries where you live. Albania needs not only your remittances, but also your vote ."
According to the voter list made public a few days ago, there are over 3.7 million people eligible to vote. Considering that almost 45 percent of Albanians are estimated to live abroad, this is reflected in almost the same ratios for voters. It remains to be seen how high the interest of immigrants will be in participating for the first time in the elections held in Albania.
The government has expressed its willingness to pay for the postal costs of the ballots for this first process. However, this would require amendments to the Electoral Code, as well as to several other technical elements required by the CEC itself.
According to the voter list made public a few days ago, there are over 3.7 million people eligible to vote. Considering that almost 45 percent of Albanians are estimated to live abroad, this is reflected in almost the same ratios for voters. It remains to be seen how high the interest of immigrants will be in participating for the first time in the elections held in Albania.
The government has expressed its willingness to pay for the postal costs of the ballots for this first process. However, this would require amendments to the Electoral Code, as well as to several other technical elements required by the CEC itself.
" In my assessment, one can see the possibility of an intervention in the Electoral Code, to better respond to the legitimate interest of each political side in this process, as it is very important that it enjoys the absolute trust of all parties. And any concern that any of them may have, if it can be addressed, through legal amendments, there is no reason why it should not be addressed in this way ," declared the State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi.
On the other hand, the opposition of the Democratic Party is expected to significantly reduce the implementation of electronic voting and counting, only in a few pilot centers in the capital, despite the Central Election Commission's willingness to expand it to three districts, or at least only in Tirana.
On the other hand, the opposition of the Democratic Party is expected to significantly reduce the implementation of electronic voting and counting, only in a few pilot centers in the capital, despite the Central Election Commission's willingness to expand it to three districts, or at least only in Tirana.
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