Electoral Reform on Hold: Commission Requests More Time, Still No Concrete Results

The Special Commission for Electoral Reform is nearing the end of its legal mandate without having finalized any product, and is therefore expected to address Parliament with a request to extend its activity deadline.

On Monday, the Socialist co-chair of this mechanism, Damian Gjiknuri, announced during the plenary session that a several-month extension will be requested, in order to address all recommendations for the draft laws related to the financing of political entities and amendments to the Electoral Code.

Gjiknuri described the commission’s work as “relatively good,” but acknowledged that obstacles were encountered in political communication.

He added that there is a consensual draft that has received the green light from the European Commission and the Venice Commission, seeing it as possible to present a widely supported law to Parliament within the remaining weeks.

Opposition co-chair Oerd Bylykbashi also agreed with the extension of the mandate. According to him, the work done so far has prepared the ground for a legislative package that is not limited only to electoral rules.

For the opposition, addressing the use of state resources in campaigns, sanctioning electoral violations, and improving the draft on party financing, reflecting the suggestions from the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission, remains a priority.

“This is not the first time the mandate has been extended; the same practice was followed in the genuine consensual reforms of 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2012,” Bylykbashi told BIRN, insisting that the new rules must be applicable and effective ahead of the 2027 local elections. The aim is for those elections to at least establish a well-defined structure for prohibiting and penalizing state capture in electoral processes.

He emphasized the need for a functional legal framework that enables democratic elections, potentially including amendments to the Criminal Code or laws on public administration.

The Commission was formed in October 2025 with an agreement between the Socialist Party and the Democratic Party, during a period of tension, a few months after the May 11 parliamentary elections where the Socialists won a fourth mandate with 83 MPs. The initial plan envisioned drafting the new party financing law by the end of 2025 and completing the amendments to the Electoral Code by July 2026.

The only product released to the public so far is a draft bill on party financing, designed by consensus by the commission’s experts, which nonetheless faced criticism and additional recommendations from civil society. The Venice Commission also gave its opinion, suggesting the revision of some provisions, especially those concerning indirect financing through related entities, third parties, digital platforms, and in-kind services.

For civil society representatives, the expiration of the deadline without concrete results is only one side of the coin. Afrim Krasniqi, director of the Institute for Political Studies, said that the lack of clarity and the fact that this reform does not differ from previous failed bipartisan attempts is even more concerning. He added that political will and real commitment do not match the necessity for a deep electoral reform.

Along the same lines, Erida Skëndaj, head of the Albanian Helsinki Committee, stated that electoral reform was not placed at the top of the parliamentary agenda, reflecting a lack of genuine political will. However, she considered it positive that the commission’s continuity is being sought, on the condition that it produces even partial results through systematic work.

Rigels Xhemollari, from “Qëndresa Qytetare” (Civic Resistance), warned that the immediate consequence of the lack of a product will be reflected in the local elections, which will take place without the necessary improvements in the voting process. He linked the blockage of the draft to the tense political situation and ongoing civic protests challenging the establishment controlled by the two main forces. “The SP and DP failed to make their next deal, so they postponed it,” Xhemollari declared, calling it a waste of public trust that nothing was achieved in eight months.

Skëndaj once again recalled the tight deadlines for implementing the changes, as the Central Election Commission expects any new rule to be approved at least six months before the electoral process.

If the amendments are approved late, the CEC will have little time to familiarize itself with them and put them into effect, risking that the unimplemented recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR will be inherited in the next electoral cycle.

Civil society representatives also criticized the commission’s working methodology. Krasniqi argued that a new approach was needed, with a public calendar and broader consultation, in order to avoid repeating past mistakes.

He suggested an integrated legislative package for party financing, campaigns, political parties, and the Electoral Code, instead of fragmented work.

Skëndaj also stressed that continuing the commission’s work would be beneficial only if the way it operates changes completely: a detailed plan with concrete deadlines, defined objectives, substantial consultation, and a comprehensive reform. She proposed that the progress of the new calendar be periodically monitored by a special structure within Parliament.