SP proposes fully electronic voting in 2029, Balla: The era of partisan counters is Stalinist, must end

Unlike the previous session, which was marked by tensions and egg-throwing, the Socialist Party deputies arrived at the Parliament without incident. The entire area around the parliament building was blocked off with metal barricades, and numerous police forces were on standby for any possible scenario.

In the absence of Democratic Party representatives, the session’s attention was drawn by Redi Muçi from “Lëvizja Bashkë” and Erald Kapri of “Mundësia”. As the draft resolution on the Central Election Commission was being examined, the majority revealed its objective to extend electronic voting and counting nationwide during the 2029 elections.

Damian Gjiknuri emphasized that automated counting has become an object of hysteria, despite the fact that political forces themselves had previously called for increased technology in electoral processes. He added that the executive has long expressed its willingness to financially cover the full transition to this system for the next parliamentary race.

Further, the head of the Socialist parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, insisted that the practice of parties handling the counting of ballot papers must be put to an end once and for all. According to him, this way of operating after 36 years of democracy is Stalinist, and he himself shares the same opinion as the authentic protesters who have brought concrete proposals for reforming the electoral code.

The debate grew tense when Erald Kapri referred to the Stabilisation and Association meeting in Strasbourg, accusing Balla of having asked him for personal favors during the counting of diaspora votes. Balla shot back sharply, challenging Kapri to swear an oath and calling it impossible for him to act like a man in that situation, while insisting that he has all the relevant messages.

This week as well, the protest held outside was not left unmentioned inside the Parliament hall. The Socialist deputies decided to block with red cards an interpellation requested by Erald Kapri with the Minister of Interior, Besfort Lamallari.