Albanians head to the polls for parliamentary elections

The 140 members of Parliament were elected in twelve multi-member constituencies based on the twelve counties by open list using proportional representation (using a 1% national electoral threshold) with seats allocated using the d'Hondt method.

Significant changes to the electoral system were made a year before the 2021 elections by the Albanian parliament by amending several articles of the constitution. The ruling Socialist Party was accused by the united opposition, which two years earlier had left parliament and had not participated in the 2019 local elections, of violating the electoral law agreement they had previously agreed on.

A total of 46 political parties, of which 5 parties are running for the first time, are registered with the Central Election Commission. In the elections, voters will have the opportunity to choose between 12 electoral subjects, of which 3 are coalitions, while in some constituencies five independent candidates also participate.

Over 5,000 polling centers will open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. with first results expected two or three days after. (ILKHA)