A WEB

System of government

Last Updated : 2016-09-05

Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic

System of government-References:

 

Total population

Last Updated : 2016-09-05

2,886,026

 

Total population-References:

 

Total area (in square kilo meters)

Last Updated : 2016-09-05

28,748 km²

 

Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:

 

Number of registered voters

Last Updated : 2016-09-05

3,271,885

 

Number of registered voters-References:

 

Number of registered political parties

Last Updated : 2016-11-16

Albania has a multi-party system with two major political parties and a third party that is electorally successful. According to official data from the Central Election Commission, there were a total of 124 political parties listed in the party registry for the year 2014. Only 54 of these parties participated in the 2015 local elections 

Number of registered political parties-References:

 

Number of polling stations

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Average number of voters per polling station

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting age

Last Updated : 2016-09-05

18

 

Voting age-References:

 

Elected Offices

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Election system

Last Updated : 2016-09-23

List Proportional Representation (Chamber 1)

 

The electoral system is based on d'Hondt method. 

Election system-References:

 

Terms of office

Last Updated : 2016-09-23

The President of the Republic is elected by parliament to serve a 5-year term.

Prime Minister is approved by the president with the approval of the parliament.

In the Parliament of Albania 140 members are elected through a closed-list proportional representation system to serve 4-year terms.

 

Terms of office-References:

 

Election

Last Updated : 2016-09-05

Albanian parliamentary election, 2013

 

Election-References:

 

Date

Last Updated : 2016-09-05

23 June 2013

 

Date-References:

 

Political parties in the elections

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Number of elected candidates

Last Updated : 2016-09-05

140

 

Number of elected candidates-References:

 

Voter turnout

Last Updated : 2016-09-05

53%

 

Voter turnout-References:

 

Number of ballots cast

Last Updated : 2016-09-07

1,744,261

 

Number of ballots cast-References:

 

Legal framework for elections

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

Part of Constitution - Separate legislation

 

Legal framework for elections-References:

 

Legal provisions

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

The Constitution of the Republic of Albania, art. 81, 150 et seq.

 

Legal provisions-References:

 

Referenda

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

The Constitution of the Republic of Albania, art. 81, 150 et seq.

 

Referenda-References:

 

People’s Initiatives

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Constitution: “Constituci?n Pol?tica de Nicaragua (2014)”, art. 140 (5):

 

People’s Initiatives-References:

 

Recall Votes

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Constitution: “Constituci?n Pol?tica de Nicaragua (2014)”:

 

Recall Votes-References:

 

Official name

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

Central Election Commission of Albania

 

Official name -References:

 

Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

Independent

 

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:

 

EMB budget source

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

The legislature

 

EMB budget source-References:

 

EMB expenditure audit

Last Updated : 2016-10-10

The legislature

 

EMB expenditure audit-References:

 

Number of EMB members (commissioners)

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

1 - 10 members

 

Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Term of EMB members (commissioners)

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

For a specified number of years

 

Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Who appoints members (commissioners)?

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

Legislature - Judiciary - Political parties

 

Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:

 

Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson

Last Updated : 2016-12-19

N/A 

Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:

 

Administrative divisions

Last Updated : 2016-11-03

Albania is divided into 12 administrative counties. Since June 2015, these counties are divided into 61 municipalities. These counties were further divided in 36 districts which became defunct in 2000. There are overall 2980 villages/communities in all Albania, formerly known as localities.

Administrative divisions -References:

 

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

Existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used

 

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:

 

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

"Equality" of population - Respecting natural barriers - Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries ? Other

 

Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

Electoral Management Body (EMB)

 

Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Requirements on the right to vote

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Reasons for having the right to vote revoked

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Electoral Eligibility

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Reasons for having the eligibility revoked

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Requirements for party registration

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

1. Each political party should submit a request to register as an electoral subject to the CEC no later than 60 days before the Election Day. 2. To register as an electoral subject for any kind of elections, a political party must submit to the CEC: a) a verification that the party has been registered with the District Court of Tirana; b) the name, surname and address of the chairman of the party, who is the person authorized to present candidates; c) the official name, initials and address of the party; ?) a copy of the party’s stamp; d) the name, surname and address of the finance officer of the party; and dh) the name, surname

 

Requirements for party registration-References:

 

Candidate nomination

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

independent candidates can compete in both presidential and legislative elections

 

Candidate nomination-References:

 

Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

- Requirement

Age
Citizenship
Registration

Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:

 

Candidate registration deposit

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Amount of fee

- Return of fee

Uncontested Election

Last Updated : 2016-12-02

N/A

 

Uncontested Election -References:

 

Preparation of the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

Extracted from a population/civil registry         

 

Preparation of the voters list-References:

 

Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

Yes 

Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:

 

Who is responsible for the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-10-10

It is the duty of the Civil Status to prepare this registry

 

Who is responsible for the voters list -References:

 

Voters list preparation procedure

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Inspection and objection procedure

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Definition

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Period

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Methods

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Prohibited forms of campaigning

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Who is not permitted to campaign

Campaign Finance

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Campaign expense limit

- Income and expenditure of campaign expense

- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure

- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions

- Reimbursement of campaign expense

Presiding officers

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① How many of officers in a polling station

② Roles of each officer

③ How we nominate the officers

Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Polling station location criteria

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting hours

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① Is compulsory or voluntary?

② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?

Ballot Paper

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots

② What has to be included in the ballot paper?

③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper

④ Valid and invalid ballot paper

Voting Procedures

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Start ofvoting

- Process of voting

- End of voting

Marking method

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① Who are subjected to do

② Voting procedures

Counting Location

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

The polling centre

 

Counting Location-References:

 

Counting period

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Vote counting method

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Counting Procedures

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

Separate ballots for different elections - Tally of voters who voted - Number of ballots in box reconciled against number of voters - Number of ballots reconciled against

Counting Procedures-References:

 

When are ballots recounted?

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

By request, individual candidate can make the request to recount ballots

 

When are ballots recounted?-References:

 

Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?

Last Updated : 2016-10-20

Citizens residing outside the country
Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation)

 

Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:

 

Overseas voters list preparation

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Where to vote

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting procedure for early voting

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Methods used to transport ballot papers

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Counting procedure

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Apportioning of National Assembly seats

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Results Announcement

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Is the announcement of preliminary result required?

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Deadline for announcement of final results

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Reason for holding a by- or re-election

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

By-election dates

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Electoral process

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

Based on result of previous election, to political parties

 

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:

 

Television debates

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

in legislative elections

 

Television debates-References:

 

Blackout period for release of election survey results

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

4-5 days

 

Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:

 

Electoral dispute resolution body

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

EMB

 

Electoral dispute resolution body-References:

 

Electoral dispute resolution mechanism

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

'Article 124*

The right to complain

2. The CEAZ decision on the declaration of electionresults for local government units under its jurisdiction, takenaccording to article 122 of this Code, may be appealed to the CEC no later than 5 days from theannouncement of the decision for the approval of the Aggregate Table of Resultsfor the Electoral Zone'

 

'3. The CEC decision on the approval of the Aggregate Tableof Results for the Electoral Zone, taken in accordance with article 123 of thisCode, may be appealed tothe CEC no later than 5 days from the announcement of this decision.(…)”

 

Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism

Last Updated : 2016-12-02

N/A

 

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Direct public funding

Last Updated : 2016-10-20

both regularly provided funding and in relation to campaigns

Political parties get "start-up" assistance after registration, and are entitled to public funding if they participate in elections. 

Direct public funding-References:

 

Private funding of political parties

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- If so, is there limit on the amount a donor can contribute to candidate or political party

Regulation, monitoring and investigation

Last Updated : 2016-10-20

Fines - Loss of public funding

 

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies

Last Updated : 2016-10-20

Auditing agency

Coding instructions Note any other institutions apart from those noted in questions 40 and 41 that have a formal role in relation to political parties or election finance. This could for example be a body that receives (but does not investigate) complaints or which hears appeals in related cases. More than one answer is allowed, and give details in an external comment.

If the electoral commission or similar institution, code “EMB”.

If a Ministry or a person or institution within a Ministry, code “MINISTRY”.

If it an institution with the specific purpose to oversee political parties or political party/campaign finance, code “SPECAL INST.”

If is a court or a person or institution within a court, code “COURT”.

If it is institution such as a national auditing bureau, code “AUDITING AGENCY”

If it is some other form of institution, code “OTHER”.

If more than one institution is involved, such as if one institution deals with political party breaches and one with election infractions, code all that apply.

If you cannot find information, code “ND”.

State Supreme Audit also has an oversight role

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:

 

Which electoral processes are using ICTs?

Last Updated : 2016-10-10

 

Are official election results processed by an electronic tabulation system?                     

The system works from EAZ (Electoral Administration Zone) directly connected with the CEC management software (Online data transfer).

 

                     

If official election results processed by an electronic tabulation system, at which level results are entered into an electronic tabulation system?                     

One copy is immediately sent electronically to the CEC. The CEC publishes immediately on the web page the official results for each voting centre, upon official receipt from the CEAZ. The publication shall clearly state that this is a preliminary result.

                     

In the last national election, how many days did it take for the EMB to establish final results?                     

8-9 daysDuring the Legislative (2013) elections final results were established after 8-9 days. 

 

                     

In the last national election, how many days did it take for the EMB to announce certified results?                     

34 days. During the Legislative (2013) elections certified results were established after 34 days. 

 

Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:

 

When it was introduced

Last Updated : 2016-12-02

N/A

 

When it was introduced-References:

 

Gender equality

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Female Population: 1,450,810 (2013)

·         Is Albania a signatory to CEDAW: No

·         Has Albania ratified CEDAW: Yes, accession (11 May 1994)

·         Gender Quota: Yes

·         Female candidates in this election: Yes

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 25 (17.86%) (2013)

·         Human Development Index Position: 85 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: High (2014)

 

Gender equality-References:

 

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters

Last Updated : 2016-11-22

Is Albania a signatory to CRPD: Yes (22 December 2009)

·         Has Albania ratified CRPD: Yes (11 February 2013)

·         Population with a disability: 451,710 (est.)

 

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:

 

Voter education

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

Continuously conducted

 

Voter education-References:

 

National civic education

Last Updated : 2016-08-18

Conducted by the National Electoral Management Body, Conducted by Political Parties/ Candidates

 

 

 

National civic education-References:

 

EMB Staff education

Last Updated : 2016-12-08

N/A

 

EMB Staff education-References:

 

Domestic observation

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

International observation

Last Updated : 2016-12-08

Following an invitation from the Government of the Republic of Albania and based on the findings and conclusions of the OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission, undertaken from 15-17 April, the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the 21 June 2015 local elections.

 

International observation-References:

 

Partnerships/MoUs

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

International Activities

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Major challenges to elections

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Measures taken to deal with those Challenges

Last Updated : 2016-05-03