TIRANA, 2024 – Socialists Secure Himara Mayor in a closely contested by-election, Vangjel Tavo of the Socialist Party secured the mayoral seat in Himara, defeating opposition candidate Petraq Gjikuria by around 1,500 votes. Despite losing the town of Himara, Tavo’s victory was ensured by solid support in the surrounding areas.
Opposition Alleges Election Irregularities and Voter ManipulationSocialists Secure Himara Mayor
The opposition raised concerns over the election’s fairness, accusing the ruling party of tactics favouring their candidate. Allegations include denying voting rights to thousands due to expired ID cards and the strategic addition of new residents to the municipality before the election.
Voter Turnout and Controversy Over Expired ID Cards
Sunday’s election saw a voter turnout of just 37.69%, with 8,678 of 23,074 registered voters participating. Approximately 6,000 voters were reported to have expired IDs, a significant issue as the Central Election Commission did not extend the validity of expired IDs, unlike in previous elections. Many affected voters were likely residents of Greece who typically return to Albania to vote. Socialists Secure Himara Mayor
