CEC waits on Parliament: Celibashi seeks around 300 additional staff for local elections

For nearly a month, the Central Election Commission has been waiting for Parliament to approve additional staffing for the preparation and management of the upcoming 2027 local elections.

In the request and accompanying report sent to MPs, State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi explains that the institution he leads needs around 300 additional part-time employees.

“The preparation of the 2027 local elections comes with an increased workload in several of the CEC’s key areas of activity. In particular, increased support is needed for the administration and use of technology in elections, the control and oversight of political party and electoral subject financing, monitoring the use of public resources and assets during the electoral period, campaign monitoring, as well as developing voter education and information activities,” the request reads.

Of these, a small number will start work this year, while the vast majority will be hired shortly before the elections, on temporary 1-, 2- and 3-month contracts, A2 writes.

“This organizational approach allows human resources to be adapted to the concrete workload and the different requirements arising during the phases of election preparation and administration. Consequently, securing this additional human capacity is assessed as a necessary measure to ensure that the CEC administration structures effectively handle the tasks stemming from the preparation and administration of the 2027 local elections,” the CEC request further reads.

Celibashi’s letter has been forwarded by Parliament for consideration to the Laws Committee, which has meanwhile just begun discussing the new administrative-territorial division to be applied in the upcoming local elections.