CEC BACKGROUND
In November, 1998, through a national referendum, the Albanian people approved the new Constitution. Articles 153 and 154 of this Constitution provides for the establishment of the Central Election Commission (CEC) as a permanent body consisting of seven members.
The Assembly of Albania adopted Law No. 8609, dated 08/05/2000 “THE ELECTORAL CODE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA “. The Commission took its legal form based on Articles 16-31 of this Code.
June 2000 marks the beginning of the CEC activity consisting of six members, who are appointed in accordance with the Constitution: two by the President of the Republic, three by the High Council of Justice and 1 by the Assembly. A month later, precisely in July 2000, the Assembly appointed the seventh member of the CEC.
The seven members of the established CEC were Mr. Fotaq NANO Chairman, Mrs. Mimoza ARBI Deputy Chairman, Mr. Maksim SHIMANI Member, Mr. Klement ZGURI Member, Mr. Pandeli VARFI Member, Mr. Shahin BISTRI member and Mr. Gasper KOKAJ Member.
The first elections prepared and conducted by this Commission were the October 2000 elections for Local Government.
A few months following October 2000 local elections, Mr.Fotaq Nano, Mrs.Mimoza Arbi and Mr.Shahin Bistri resigned from the Central Election Commission.
On February, 10, 2001, the High Council of Justice elected two new members for this Commission. They were: Mr. Ilirjan CELIBASHI and Mr. Igli TOSKA. On 12 February of the same year, the Assembly appointed Mr.Tomorr MALAJ as member of this Commission.
During 2003, the mandate of Mr.Igli Toska, Gasper Kokaj and Klement Zguri ended. The High Council of Justice nominated as CEC member Mrs. Deshira Subashi, the President of the Republic of Albania nominated Mr. Klement Zguri and the Assembly nominated Mr. Dode Prenga.
On November 25, 2004, the High Council of Justice appointed Mr.Clirim Gjata as member of the Central Election Commission in the place of the member Maksim Shimani.
During 2006, the mandate of the CEC members Mr.Ilirjan CELIBASHIi, Mr.Pandeli VARFI, Mr.Tomor MALAJ ended. The High Council of Justice appointed the member Mr. Flamur ÇATO, the President of the Republic Mr. Fatmir KUMBARO and the Assembly Mr. Arben RISTANI.
With Law No.9675, dated 13.01.2007 the Constitution was amended and since February 2007 the CEC is composed of 9 members. The Assembly appointed the members Mr. Shkëlqim Hysi and Mr. Gent Shala.
With Law No.9904, dated 21.04.2008 the Constitution of the Republic of Albania was amended and abrogated the Articles 153 and 154 which stipulated the establishment of the CEC. Now, the establishment of the CEC is provided for in the Electoral Code.
Based on Law No.10019, dated 29.12.2008 “The Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania” stipulated the establishment of the Central Election Commission as the highest permanent state body, which is in charge of the election administration. This Commission is composed of seven members with a 4 year mandate. The CEC members and Chairman are nominated by the Assembly of Albania .
On 02.02.2009, the Assembly appointed as chairman of CEC, Mr. Arben RISTANI and members Mr.Artan LAZAJ, Mrs. Dëshira SUBASHI, Mr. Hysen OSMANAJ, Mr. Klement ZGURI, Mr. Pandeli VARFI and Mrs Vera SHTJEFNI.
Based on Law no.74 / 2012, dated 19.07.2012 “On some amendments to Law 10019 dated 29.12.2008” The Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania “, it was terminated the mandate of CEC members on duty. The Parliament of Albania, on 11.10.2012, elected as chairwoman of CEC, Ms. Lefterije LLESHI (LUZI) and its members Mrs. Albana Shtylla, Mr.Denar BIBA Mr. Hysen OSMANAJ, Mr. Ilirian MUHO, Mr. Jani Jani and Mrs.Vera SHTJEFNI.
Based on Law nr. 11, dated 10.26.2012, Central Election Commission elected as deputy chairman of the CEC, Mr. Denar. BIBA
Based on Law nr 17, dated 15.04.2013, Albanian Parliament released from duty the member of the CEC, Mr. Ilirjan MUHO and with Decision no.18, dated 15.04.2013 was appointed as a member of the CEC, Mr. Klement ZGURI.
On 17.04.2013 Mr. Denar BIBA , Mrs. Albana SHTYLLA resigned as CEC members and on 21.04.2013, another member of the CEC, Mr. Jani JANI gave his resignation.
Based on Law nr.13,14,15 dated 29.01.2015, Albanian Parliament elected as members of the CEC, Mr Denar. BIBA, Mrs. Edlira JORGAQI and Mr. Gëzim VELESHNJA.
Albanian Parliament by decision 103, dated 12.05.2015, re-elected as members of the CEC, Mrs. Edlira JORGAQI and Mr. Klement ZGURI.
Central Election Commission by decision No.17, dated 30.01.2015, elected/appointed as deputy chairman of the CEC, Mr. Denar BIBA.
On 11.10. 2016 the mandate of the CEC chairperson, Ms. Lefterije LUZI (LLESHI) ended.
Albanian Parliament with the decision nr. 74, dated 11.03.2016, elected as chairman of the CEC, Mr. Denar BIBA.
Albanian Parliament by the decision nr. 84/2016, dated 11/17/2016, appointed as a member of the CEC, Mr. Bledar Skënderi.
Central Election Commission by Decision No. 171, dated 12.01.2016, appointed as deputy chairman of the CEC, Mr. Hysen OSMANAJ.
The Assembly of Albania, by decision no. 76/2017, released from duty as Chairman of CEC, Mr. Denar Biba, as well as by decision no. 77/2017, released from duty as member of CEC, Mr. Klement Zguri.
The Assembly of Albania, by decision no. 78/2017, elected as Chairman of CEC, Mr. Klement Zguri.
The Assembly of Albania, by decision no. 78/2017, elected as member of CEC, Mr. Denar Biba.
The Central Election Commission, by decision no. 354/2017, elected as Deputy Chairman of CEC, Mr. Denar Biba.
On 11.10. 2018 the mandate of the CEC Members Ms. Vera ShTJEFNI, Mr. Hysen OSMANAJ, Mr. Gëzim VELESHNJA and Mr. Bledar SKËNDERI ended.
The Assembly of Albania, by decision no. 111/2018, elected as member of CEC, Ms. Rezarta BITRI.
The Assembly of Albania, by decision no. 112/2018, elected as member of CEC, Mr. Bledar SKËNDERI.
The Assembly of Republic of Albania on 30.07.2020 adopted the law no. 101, for some additions and amendments to law no. 10 019, dated 29.12.2008 “Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania”, amended. The legal amendments established three steering bodies of the Central Election Commission, which are:
- State Election Commissioner
- Regulatory Commission
- Appeals and Sanctions Commission
The Assembly of Republic of Albania with decision no. 56/2020, elected as State Election Commissioner, Mr. Ilirjan CELIBASHI.
The Assembly of Republic of Albania with decision no. 57/2020, elected as Deputy Commissioner, Mrs. Lealba PELINKU.
The Assembly of Albania with decision no. 58/2020, elected as Chair of Regulatory Commission Mrs. Ilirjana NANO and members; Mr. Arenc ÇELA, Mr. Dritan ÇAKA, Mrs Helga VUKAJ, Mr. Muharrem CAKAJ.
The Assembly of Republic of Albania with decision no. 59/2020 elected as members of Appeals and Sanctions Commission Mr. Elvin LAKO, Mr. Elvis ÇEFA, Mr. Ilirjan RUSMALI, Mr. Koli BELE and Mr. Ledjo BRAHO.
