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Technical Workshop : Enhancing the Role of Law Enforcement Bodies in Addressing Vote-Buying and Other Electoral Violations for the Forthcoming 2025 Elections in the Republic of Albania

Achieving possible improvements in investigative procedures and their timely implementation, encouraging citizen reporting, and increasing coordination between law enforcement bodies and relevant institutions are crucial to ensuring electoral integrity.

Given the forthcoming 2025 parliamentary elections in Albania, the OSCE Presence and the Central Election Commission (CEC) organized a technical roundtable on June 6, 2024, to enhance the role of law enforcement bodies in combating vote-buying and other electoral violations.

The roundtable served as a platform for representatives and experts from law enforcement agencies, state and public institutions, civil society, media, and international organizations to discuss possible improvements to investigative procedures and their timely implementation. It also focused on encouraging citizen reporting and increasing coordination between law enforcement bodies and relevant institutions. Particular emphasis was placed on raising awareness and preventing vote-buying.

"With the 2025 parliamentary elections approaching, now is the right time to consider the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and address these issues to enhance the performance of state institutions in dealing with vote-buying and other election violations," said Ambassador Michel Tarran, Chairman of the OSCE Presence, at the opening of the meeting. "The OSCE Presence welcomes any initiative that prioritizes the fight against electoral crimes before the next parliamentary elections. We are ready to provide support as needed," he added.

The State Commissioner of Elections, Mr. Ilirjan Celibashi, stated, "We are currently identifying how we can improve electoral integrity and address the issues that undermine it in the best possible way. The CEC has its role, but other institutions also have significant responsibilities."

The roundtable discussions focused on the findings of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation reports and their recommendations for enhancing integrity and fairness in the upcoming elections. Participants analyzed the effectiveness of practices in addressing electoral violations in the last two elections following the 2020 consensus-approved legal changes. They identified successful measures and areas for improvement. Additionally, they emphasized the necessity of continuous dialogue and cooperation between all actors to ensure a transparent and reliable electoral process and highlighted the importance of increasing public awareness of the consequences of vote-buying and other electoral violations.

The panel concluded by noting the achievements and challenges related to institutional efforts to address electoral violations. They underscored the need for the timely implementation of the discussed recommendations and joint efforts toward a more transparent and fair electoral system in Albania.