Tomorrow's elections, Celibashi's message: The voice of citizens should be heard clearly and without obstacles

The head of the CEC, Ilirjan Celibashi, addressed a message to citizens, political parties, media and commissioners, one day before the parliamentary elections in the country.

Celibashi says that for the first time in these elections, the Albanian diaspora has voted, about 74%. He says that citizens should express their will freely and without obstacles tomorrow.

Celibashi's message:

Message from the State Election Commissioner on the Electoral Process dated May 11, 2025

Dear voters,

Tomorrow, May 11, you will exercise your right to vote, one of the most fundamental rights of democracy and an opportunity to determine the future of our country.

Your vote matters, and every vote is a voice that must be heard. I encourage you to participate with confidence and responsibility in this crucial process for the future of Albania.

These elections are of particular importance because for the first time in our history, the diaspora vote has become part of this process. About 93% of voters from the diaspora have received their ballots, and 81% of them have completed and returned them to the CEC, representing 74% of all voters from the diaspora. This is an important step towards inclusion and strengthening ties with Albanians everywhere in the world, ensuring that the voice of every Albanian citizen, inside and outside the borders, is heard and respected.

For commissioners

I thank you for your commitment to managing this important process. Your role is essential to guaranteeing free, fair and transparent elections.

I invite you to act with impartiality, dedication, and professionalism, respecting the rights of every voter and ensuring that every vote is counted fairly and with integrity.

Remember that your responsibility is not only ethical, but also legal. Any breach of duty and any interference with the will of the voters is punishable by law and will be treated with full seriousness.

This process will be monitored by a large number of observers, to ensure that every action is in line with the highest standards of democracy and transparency:

2,412 domestic observers from 45 domestic organizations

925 foreign observers from 30 international organizations and institutions

2,120 long-term observers and 1,217 short-term observers

54 local and foreign media outlets will be on the ground to follow and report on the progress of the electoral process.

For the 11 competing entities

Political entities, and especially political entities represented by their commissioners, play an important role in creating a calm climate in the polling stations. I would like to remind you that commissioners, despite being nominated by political parties, are at the service of the electoral process and the citizens. Creating a calm and cooperative environment in the polling stations is a shared obligation and responsibility for all of us.

I invite political leaders, from today until the end of the counting process, to convey to voters, commissioners and anyone else connected to the electoral process, messages of respect for the law and the authority of the institutions responsible for conducting the elections and guaranteeing their integrity.

Now the campaign is over and we all have to wait calmly to see the verdict of the voters.

For the media and journalists

You, who will be reporting in real time from the field, have a key role in informing the public and ensuring transparency in the process. I thank you for your dedication and invite you to report with accuracy, impartiality and professionalism, while respecting the right of citizens to receive reliable and verified information.

On this important day, your voice is an essential part of the democratic process.

Election Day is the day of citizens, a day where the voice of every citizen should be heard clearly and without hindrance.

I thank you for your cooperation and wish everyone a successful electoral process.

SEC Ilirjan Celibashi