CEC asks political parties for their stance on extending electronic voting in the 2027 elections to large municipalities

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has officially begun preparations for the 2027 local elections, placing the further modernisation of Albania’s electoral process at the centre of attention. Through an official letter addressed to the country’s main political forces, the State Election Commissioner, Ilirjan Celibashi, has asked political parties for their opinion on the possibility of expanding electronic voting and counting.

Extending the technology to 3 to 4 large municipalities

According to the CEC, implementing the technology requires detailed administrative and logistical analysis in order to guarantee sustainability and security. The letter to the parties stresses that, “taking into consideration the technical, logistical and administrative aspects, as well as the need for sustainable and timely implementation, the Central Election Commission considers that an extension to 3 or 4 large municipalities constitutes a reasonable and proportionate approach.”

The election institution is taking this step so that any decision on the technology receives the broad consensus of all political actors in advance.

The request for political consensus and preliminary consultations

To avoid ambiguities in the run-up to the elections, the CEC asks political forces to express their official stance well before the official start of the electoral process.

“The CEC expressly requests that political parties submit their stance regarding the possibility of holding electronic voting and counting for the 2027 local elections, in several large municipalities, well in advance of the electoral process,” the document states.

The call for the meeting of 9 October 2026

Before the political parties send their final stances in writing, Celibashi has asked them to appoint official representatives for a joint discussion roundtable.

The consultative meeting is scheduled to be held on Friday, 9 October 2026, at 11:30, at the premises of the Central Election Commission, and the parties must confirm their participation in advance.