CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION Observers’ Guide “2021 ELECTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY” GUIDE FOR OBSERVERS Elect, Vote, Decide! 1 CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION Observers’ Guide “2021 ELECTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY” Introduction Greeting message from CEC Dear Observers, On the occasion of the election for the Assembly of the Republic of Albania, and on behalf of the Central Election Commission, it is my pleasure to extend a warm welcome for observing the elections to all observers. The President of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Ilir Meta, with decree no. 11700, dated 09/06/2020, has set the date of April 25, 2021, as the date of elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Albania. On the occasion of the development of the election process, the Central Election Commission has the pleasure to present this publication directed to all observers. This publication is an expression of our consideration and institutional evaluation of the relationship that we have with international and local organizations for achieving the required standards of the election. The Central Election Commission through this Publication has tried to summarize general information for Albania and provide essential knowledge on the system and election process. We hope it will be useful to you in fulfilling your work responsibilities during your stay in our country. The CEC would like to thank You and the diplomatic representation in Tirana, for the contribution and support given to improve the election process in Albania. I wish you success in your mission, Sincerely, ILIRJAN CELIBASHI State Election Commissioner Central Election Commission Elect, Vote, Decide! 2 CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION Observers’ Guide “2021 ELECTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY” Table of contents An overall outlook of Albania ................................................................................................ 4 Geographical data ................................................................................................................... 4 The map of the Republic of Albania ..................................................................................... 5 State organization ................................................................................................................... 6 Territorial and Administrative Division ............................................................................... 8 Judicial System ........................................................................................................................ 8 Electoral college ...................................................................................................................... 9 The parlamentary election system ......................................................................................... 9 Institutions for preparation and administration of elections ............................................ 12 Electoral Subjects.................................................................................................................. 18 Preparation for the election process .................................................................................... 20 Election Procedures .............................................................................................................. 22 Appeals’ Procedures ............................................................................................................. 27 Observetion ............................................................................................................................ 29 Important numbers ............................................................................................................... 37 Places to visit in Tirana ........................................................................................................ 37 Website address for information ......................................................................................... 37 Abbreviations BCC Ballot Counting Center CEAZ Commissions of Election Administration Zones CEC Central Election Commission CSO Civil Status Office CT Counting Team EAZ Election Administration Zone EZ Election Zone NCSR National Civil Status Register VC Voting Center VCC Voting Center Commission VL Voters’ Lis Elect, Vote, Decide! 3 CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION Observers’ Guide “2021 ELECTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY” An overall outlook of Albania Official name: Republic of Albania Capital: TIRANË National holidays: November 28, 1912 Independece Day November 29, 1944 Liberation Day Popullation: 4,544,977 Ethnic groups: Shqiptar 95% Grek 2%-6% Other 2% Official language: Shqipe Curentcy: Lek Geographical data Location: South-eastern Europe, along the coast of Adriatic and the Ionian Sea Area: 28,748 km2 (27,398 km2 land + 1,350 km2 waters) Border Countries: In a total of 720 km territorial border, 282 km is the border line with Greece (south), 151 km to Macedonia (east) 287 km to Kosovo and Montenegro (north) Coastline: 362 km long Climate: Mediterranean climate with mild temperatures, humid and cool winters, and hot and dry summers Elevation Extremities: The Adriatic Sea 0 meter and Mountain of Korabi 2, 751 m Territory: Mainly hilly and mountainous, often covered with dense forests and field terrain along the coast Elect, Vote, Decide! 4 CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION Observers’ Guide “2021 ELECTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY” The map of the Republic of Albania Elect, Vote, Decide! 5 CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION Observers’ Guide “2021 ELECTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY” State organization Albania is a parliamentary republic. The Republic of Albania is a unitary and indivisible state. The governance is based on a system of elections that are free, equal, general, and periodic. Parliament The Parliament of Albania consists of 140 deputies, elected according to a proportional election system with competition at the regional level and national threshold. The election subjects that reach the national threshold are included in the distribution of mandates. Voters have the right to preapprove the candidates of the multi-names lists. The criteria and regulations for the application of the electoral system, for assignment of election zones, the national threshold, the number of mandates for each zone, the distribution of mandates, and the extension measures of the preapproval election are established in the elections law. The election law guarantees that no less than two-third of lists from the multi-names lists are to be subject to preapproval election and provide gender representation. The multi-names electoral zones comply with the administrative division of one of the levels of organization of territorial-administrative. The criteria and regulations for the application of a proportionate electoral system, for assignment of electoral districts, and the mandates number for each district are established in the elections law. The Parliament is elected for a four-year term. The Assembly elections are held not earlier than 30 days and not later than 45 days after Assembly dissolution. The President of the Republic H.E. Mr. Ilir Meta is the President of the Republic of Albania. The President of the Republic is the head of state and represents the unity of the people, article 86 of the Constitution. A presidential candidate must be a natural-born citizen of Albania, a resident in Albania no less than the past 10 years, and one who has reached the age of 40 years. Elect, Vote, Decide! 6 CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION Observers’ Guide “2021 ELECTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY” The President of the Republic issues decrees according to his powers. He cannot exercise other powers except those provided for by the Constitution and granted by laws deriving in compliance with it. Counsel of Ministers The Prime Minister (PM) of the Republic of Albania is Mr. Edi Rama. Based on the Constitution, Article 95, the Council of Ministers is composed of: - The Prime Minister - The Deputy Prime Minister - Ministers The Councel of Ministers is the highest executive body and exercises all the governmental functions that are not given to other state or local government bodies. Based on the Constitution, Article 100, the Council of Ministers establishes the guidelines of the general state policy. The Council of Ministers makes decisions upon the proposal of the PM or the respective minister. The Prime Minister: represent the Council of Ministers and chair its meetings; conceives and presents the principal direction of general state policy and is responsible for them; ensures the implementation of legislation and policies adopted by the Council of Ministers; coordinates and control the work of the members of the Council of Ministers and other institutions of central state administration; performs other duties provided in the Constitution and laws. The Constitutional Court Based on the Constitution, Article 124, the Constitutional Court guarantees respect for the Constitution and makes final interpretations of it. The Constitutional Court is subject only to the Constitution. Elect, Vote, Decide! 7 CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION Observers’ Guide “2021 ELECTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY” Nine Judges comprise the Constitutional Court. The Assembly, the President of Republic, and the Supreme Court, each have the right to appoint three members of the Court. Judges’ mandate lasts for nine years without the right to be re-elected. They are elected among lawyers with high qualification and with work experience not less than fifteen years as a judge, district attorney, attorney, professor or lecturer of law, Jurist of higher level in public administration,