The European Union and the Council of Europe have officially launched the “Support for the Electoral Cycle in Albania (SECA)” program, a three-year initiative designed to enhance the integrity, inclusiveness, and transparency of elections in Albania while supporting essential reforms aligned with the EU membership process.
SECA aims to assist the Central Election Commission (CEC) and national stakeholders in promoting institutional independence, reducing politicization, setting professional standards, and ensuring the digital sustainability of electoral processes in Albania. This initiative is part of broader reform efforts that are evidence-based and guided by the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission, aiming to ensure transparency, equal conditions, and public confidence in democratic institutions.
During the project launch ceremony, EU Ambassador in Tirana, Silvio Gonzato, and the State Commissioner of Elections in Albania, Ilirjan Celibashi, discussed the key benchmarks necessary for advancing electoral reform.
“Electoral reform encompasses more than technical changes; it is a critical step in enhancing public trust in democratic institutions and facilitating Albania’s European integration,” Gonzato stated, highlighting the formation of the Joint Parliamentary Commission for Electoral Reform as a recognition of the need to tackle past challenges and bolster the integrity of the electoral process.
“The EU supports these initiatives and urges all parties to engage in an inclusive, evidence-driven reform process, informed by the recommendations from the OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission. The commission’s focus must be on the quality of both the process and its outcomes, which requires time and strong leadership,” added Gonzato.
Representatives from the CEC, Parliament, government, civil society, media, and international partners reiterated their commitment to conducting credible and transparent elections.
Co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe in collaboration with the Central Election Commission, the SECA project will support the development of democratic governance and alignment with EU and international standards.
Ilirjan Celibashi, the State Commissioner of Elections, underscored that this is a pivotal moment for the CEC to collaborate with the European Union, Council of Europe, and other partners to enhance training for the electoral administration.
Celibashi remarked, “The electoral administration in Albania has, despite various efforts, consistently fallen short of meeting the expectations of political actors and, most importantly, the Albanian voters, both in terms of professionalism and transparency.” (November 13)
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