“Voting of the diaspora: Constitutional Basis, Electoral Legislation and challenges in the implementation of the Electoral Reform” was the theme that brought together diplomats, MPs, experts and representatives from civil society at a discussion table today to discuss the current challenges of voting from abroad, in the light of the decision of the Constitutional Court and the negotiation process for Albania’s membership in the European Union.
The activity was developed by the Institute for Political Studies (IPS) within the project “Improving the Debate on Policies and Accountability in fulfillment of the criteria of the First Group of Negotiating Chapters”, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Tirana, which is being implemented in cooperation with several civil society organizations, under the direction of the Center for the Study of Democracy and Governance (CSDG). Part of the discussion panel were Mr. Reinout Vos, ambassador of the Netherlands in Albania, who emphasized the importance of such discussion tables in the framework of Cluster One, Mr. Ilirjan Celibashi, State Commissioner for Elections, Mrs. Jorida Tabaku, President of the National Council for European Integration, Mr. Lavdrim Krrashi, chairman of the Subcommittee for Diaspora and Migration, MP Mr. Oerd Bylykbashi.
Two experts Mrs. Nadia Rusi and Mr. Bledar Milaqi presented 2 scientific papers on the current good practices in several countries, the importance of the diaspora vote in Albania, the effects of decision-making by the Constitutional Court as well as the creation of legal guarantees on the right to vote for immigrants. The full materials of the experts will be published on the official website of Cluster One, the Institute of Political Studies and partner organizations.