"The elections in the Tirana District were distorted", Nuri: The DP is preparing an appeal to the Electoral College

“The Democratic Party – Alliance for a Greater Albania (DP–ASHM) does not recognize the results of the May 11 elections in the Tirana Region. This is not a purely political stance, but a reaction based on an in-depth analysis of the systematic and documented violations, which have seriously undermined the legitimacy of this process.”

In a reaction from the legal representative of the Democratic Party, Franc Nuri, it is announced that the Democratic Party will request the Electoral College to completely invalidate the electoral process in this district.

This request will be presented with extensive legal evidence before the Electoral College.

"The Tirana district, the largest in the country with 37 mandates, became a hotbed of massive electoral violations. The most serious episodes were recorded on voting day in the Vora area, where entire polling stations were blocked by individuals with criminal records, known as "local strongmen", who were suspiciously equipped with official observer badges from the CEC.

These individuals were positioned in front of polling stations, exerting open pressure and intimidation on voters. There were also physical clashes with senior DP figures, documented by the media and witnesses. These are not isolated incidents, but part of a deliberate scheme to distort the will of voters throughout the Tirana Region.

"Tirana lacked electoral integrity also due to the illegal and massive use of the patronage network. There were numerous cases when the opposition denounced in real time the illegal electoral offices of the SP, from which administration employees and SP militants would run out, who would then hide from the cameras. These phenomena were recorded in several areas, such as "Petro Nini Luarasi", in Astir, or the reports of similar offices near the "Delijorgji" complex, in Don Bosco, but also in Unit no. 8, directly affecting the fairness of the electoral race.

Another serious problem was identified in CEAZ No. 40 (Unit 9), where ballots with different colors and different paper qualities were found, clearly distinguishable with the naked eye and by touch. In this area, suspicious cases were also identified with ballots all folded in the same way, which strengthens the conviction of suspicions of box stuffing or the use of the method known as the “Bulgarian train”, as an electoral manipulation technique.

In the same vein is the serious case in CEAZ no. 30 in Kashar, where the secretary of the CEAZ proposed by the DP was raped during the vote counting process by people connected to the government. The media also reported on a bag full of money found within the perimeter of the CEAZ in question, raising suspicions of serious attempts at vote buying.

Problematic cases have also been reported in Babrru, at the "1 Maji" school, or in Kamëz, as well as other peripheral areas of Tirana. In several polling stations, ballots filled in by the same hand were identified, which further strengthens suspicions of mass manipulation.

Also, one of the most worrying elements remains the declaration of over 17,000 votes as invalid in the entire Tirana District. This figure constitutes a serious anomaly, which may have directly influenced the final result, including in the race for the 14th mandate between the PD-ASHM and the subject of Mr. Agron Shehaj.

According to the guidelines approved by the CEC Regulator, there are over 50 specific cases for determining the validity or invalidity of a ballot. Any deviation from these standards, any deliberate declaration of the invalidity of any ballot, especially in areas where support for the DP-ASHM was high, constitutes an illegal act and a deliberate attack on the opposition, the complaint states.

Our complaint to the CEC and further to the Electoral College will be for the complete invalidity of the elections in the Tirana District and will include all of these issues, including:

• minutes with flagrant inconsistencies;

• ballots suspected of being forged or printed outside the standard;

• systematic use of patronage for electoral control;

• presence of "strongmen" and violence near polling stations;

• family voting and suspicions of multiple voting;

• security cameras turned off or with interrupted views in key centers;

• ballot boxes considered problematic, with compromised security codes.

We are not asking for preferential treatment. We are asking for respect for the law, full transparency, and the restoration of the integrity of the vote as the foundation of democracy.

In conclusion, we clearly emphasize:

The DP-ASHM does not recognize the result announced in the Tirana District by the CEC. We do not request a recount of votes, but a complete invalidation of the electoral process in this district. This request will be presented with numerous legal evidence before the Electoral College. We are determined to take this battle to the end, to defend a fundamental principle: the vote of the Albanian citizen cannot be bought, intimidated, or alienated.