DP against SP's request to postpone voting hours in Vlora: Abuse of the electoral process

The Democratic Party – Alliance for a Greater Albania (DP–ASHM) has reacted to the Socialist Party's request to postpone voting hours in several centers in Vlora, due to the Giro d'Italia.

Through a letter addressed to the Central Election Commission, the DP calls this request an unacceptable abuse of the electoral process and considers it a maneuver to favor government propaganda during the election campaign days.

The DP-ASHM demands the rejection of this request, describing it as a violation of the fundamental principles of a free and fair electoral process.

RESPONSE TO THE SP'S REQUEST TO POSTPONEMENT OF THE VOTING SCHEDULE IN THE VLORA DISTRICT

Dear Mr. Celibashi,

Referring to the request submitted by the Socialist Party to postpone the voting hours in several centers in the city of Vlora, due to the development of the "Giro d'Italia" sports activity, we inform you that the Democratic Party - Alliance for a Greater Albania (DP-ASHM) is categorically against this proposal.

This activity, organized by the current government itself on the most critical days of the election campaign, including the day of silence and now even election day, has a clear propaganda character and serves more for electoral and promotional purposes. Spending over 7 million euros of public funds on such a show, and then requesting a postponement of the voting schedule to adapt to the agenda of this event, is an unacceptable abuse of the electoral process.

It should be added that for two days in a row, free movement in the territory of Tirana has been prohibited, opposition political activities have been prevented, and political entities have been denied the constitutional right to communicate with citizens on crucial days of the campaign. This precedent violates the fundamental principles of a free and fair electoral process.

Our position is clear: elections cannot be adjusted to the government's propaganda schedule. It is the electoral process that must have absolute priority. If sporting activity conflicts with the regularity of elections, then the responsibility falls on the organizers and not on citizens or electoral institutions.

Moreover, such an intervention, requested by the SP just hours before the elections, undermines the credibility of the process and sets a dangerous precedent for the future. This is not simply a matter of timing – it is a matter of democratic principle and standard.

The DP-ASHM strongly requests that the request of the SP not be taken into consideration by the Central Election Commission. Any decision in this regard would be considered by our side as an unacceptable interference in the equality of the competition and a serious undermining of the integrity of the elections not only in the city of Vlora, but in the entire region.

With respect,

Franci NURI
DP-ASHM