Agora Election Observation (AEO) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation working to foster a democratic, participatory, diverse, equal and transnational Europe committed to human rights. In particular, the organisation aims to train young people as international election observers and report on youth participation in elections in Europe. This is done by deploying young people on election observation missions. In line with the AEO methodology, observers completed an e-learning course on election observation and conducted research on the electoral process in Albania.
This preliminary statement focuses mainly on the direct observation of Election Day. More detailed findings will be presented in a final report, drawing on the full analysis of the data collected throughout the Mission.
The AEO Mission to Albania deployed 28 international observers of 14 nationalities across the country to observe the 11 May 2025 parliamentary elections. The observers arrived in Albania on 7 May and will depart on 13 May. Upon deployment, the Mission met with a number of stakeholders, including election administration, political parties, youth organisations and civil society representatives.
The Albanian electoral framework allows for both citizen and international observation. The CEC efficiently managed the accreditation process through an online platform, and the procedure for AEO observers was smooth, with the CEC remaining cooperative. However, the system did not allow for role-specific accreditation beyond domestic and international observers, resulting in some uncertainty regarding the accreditation status of local interpreters. Nevertheless, this did not hinder the Mission’s operations. AEO observers were not restricted in their observation throughout the Mission.
On Election Day, observers were deployed in Tiranë, Durrës, Vlorë, Fier, Berat, Lezhë, Shkodër and Gjirokastër, and visited a total of 110 polling stations, submitting 142 observation forms for the opening, voting, closing, and counting procedures.
Overall, Election Day was well administered; procedures were generally followed, and the election administration demonstrated a high level of professionalism. Election officials received training that included both theoretical and practical components, including role-playing exercises. The AEO Mission conducted a more limited observation of the opening, closing, and counting procedures, which, to some extent, appeared less efficient than the voting stage.
Out of 12 teams that observed the opening procedures, seven assessed them positively, while five noted some organisational challenges or a certain level of tension among commissioners. Polling stations opened on time in seven of the observed cases. Additionally, in three instances, issues were reported with the electronic voter identification system during the opening process.
The voting process was generally conducted in a well-organised manner, and the atmosphere at polling stations observed by the AEO observers was calm and orderly. The AEO observers did not report any incidents on Election Day. However, ten cases of family or group voting were observed. Election material was either not present or not displayed correctly in seven of the polling stations visited.
Accessibility of polling stations emerged as a recurring issue, as only half of the polling stations visited by AEO observers were independently accessible to voters with physical impairments. Moreover, AEO observers noted that voters with disabilities often required assistance, as permitted by law. Although the polling station members stated that Braille materials were available for visually impaired voters, in 38 cases they were not shown or accessible to observers.
Closing procedures at the polling stations were generally assessed positively; however, some instances of difficulties in completing the protocols were noted.
In Albania, the counting process takes place in designated counting centres, where polling stations deliver sealed electoral materials and ballot boxes. Counting did not begin shortly after the closing of polling stations and was, in some cases, postponed compared to the estimated time given to observers by officials. Counting commenced only after all materials and ballot boxes had been received from the respective polling stations, which was in line with the provisions of the electoral law. Despite the uncertainty regarding the time between the end of voting and the start of counting, observers reported that the process was transparent, well-organised and professionally conducted.
AEO observed that young people under the age of 35 were well represented in the administration of the voting centres, constituting approximately one-third of the total number of polling station commissioners.
Youth representation on party candidate lists was notably limited. Interlocutors reported that most young candidates were placed on the open list segment, making their election less likely compared to those positioned on closed lists, typically reserved for party leadership. This reflects a continued reluctance by political parties to prioritise youth inclusion.
On a positive note, civil society initiatives and pro-youth campaigns aimed at engaging young people and first-time voters were observed during the campaign period. Nevertheless, the situation of youth in Albania remains a concern and warrants more targeted and effective measures by the Albanian authorities. Studies show that the large majority of Albanian youth are dissatisfied with the political situation, almost half of them express little to no interest in politics, and a considerable number of young people are considering emigration.
For the first time, citizens residing abroad were granted the right to vote in the May 11 parliamentary elections. This facilitates the inclusion of young voters, a segment of the population characterised by high mobility due to study and employment abroad.
The AEO team would like to thank election administration authorities, political parties, youth organisations and civil society representatives of Albania, as well as other international observers, local coordinators and interpreters, who contributed to the completion of this Mission. AEO would especially like to acknowledge Commit Global for the free provision of the Vote Monitor app.
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