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The European Union and the Council of Europe officially launched the program “Support for the Electoral Cycle in Albania (SECA)” – a three-year initiative aimed at strengthening the integrity, inclusiveness, and transparency of elections in Albania, by supporting the country’s key reforms within the framework of the first group-chapter, the foundations of the EU membership process.
SECA will support the Central Election Commission (CEC) and national actors in strengthening institutional independence, depoliticization, professional standards, and the digital sustainability of electoral processes in Albania. The action also supports comprehensive reform efforts, evidence-based, guided by the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission – ensuring transparency, equal conditions, and citizens’ trust in democratic institutions.
At the project launch ceremony, the EU Ambassador in Tirana, Silvio Gonzato, together with the State Commissioner of Elections in Albania, Ilirjan Celibashi, spoke about the benchmarks on which work for electoral reform should continue.
“Electoral reform is not just about technical adjustments; it is a fundamental step to strengthen citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and, consequently, on the path of Albania’s European integration,” said Gonzato, who noted that the establishment of the Joint Parliamentary Commission for Electoral Reform shows that there is an awareness of the need to address past challenges and to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process.
“The EU welcomes these steps and encourages all parties to pursue an inclusive and evidence-based reform process, guided by the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission. The work of the commission should focus on the quality of the process and the outcome – this requires time and leadership,” said the EU Ambassador, Silvio Gonzato.
Representatives of the CEC, Parliament, government, civil society, media, and international partners reaffirmed their joint commitment to credible and transparent elections.
Co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Central Election Commission, the SECA project will contribute to the advancement of democratic governance and further alignment with EU and international standards.
The State Commissioner of Elections, Ilirjan Celibashi, emphasized that this is the moment for the CEC, in cooperation and with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe and other partners, to work seriously on training the electoral administration.
Celibashi stated that “the electoral administration in Albania, beyond any efforts made, has never met the expectations, not only of political actors but first and foremost, of Albanian voters, to perform not only professionally but also transparently.” (November 13)