Ilirjan Celibashi warns of risks to 2027 elections amid territorial reform

Ilirjan Celibashi, Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), has expressed concerns regarding the timing of Albania’s proposed territorial reform. He warned that the administrative division must be finalized well in advance to ensure the quality of preparations for the 2027 local elections. Celibashi noted that the CEC requires more than six to nine months to manage the infrastructural, logistical, and organizational changes necessitated by a new territorial map.

The reform is currently in the public consultation phase. While the ruling Socialist Party aims to pass the measure through Parliament, the opposition is calling for a referendum to decide the new territorial divisions. Additionally, 15 municipalities are protesting the proposed map. Celibashi highlighted legal uncertainties regarding whether the Parliament can approve a new territorial division after the President has already decreed the election date, noting that the Constitutional Court would likely need to rule on the constitutionality of referendum requests.