Wednesday, April 30, 2025
About 114 thousand young people gain the right to vote for the first time in the parliamentary elections of 11 May 2025. To inform and raise their awareness on the importance of exercising this right, an electoral educational program is being held in all public high schools in the country during the month of April.
The Central Election Commissioner Mr. Ilirjan Celibashi followed today the mock election at "Qemal Stafa" high school in Tirana, within the framework of this educational program. Part of the event was also the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Albania, Mr. Karl Bergner, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana, Ms. Giulia Re, as well as the Director of the Academy of Political Studies (APS), Mr. Erjon Tase.
Mr. Celibashi emphasized in his greeting notes the importance of educating high school graduates who vote for the first time in these elections. "I hope you will convey the knowledge you gained during the program to your family and other friends. I invite you once again to exercise this right and opportunity that is provided to you to decide about your future", said the Commissioner. He also thanked the Council of Europe and the Embassy of Germany as well as national partners, who enabled implementation of this valuable program.
The German Ambassador, Mr. Karl Bergner invited young people to exercise the right they gain this May 11. "Your vote, the vote of the youth, is even more important because you will decide for your future but also for the development of the country. I encourage you to use this right and responsibility you have earned."
The Head of the Council of Europe Office, Ms. Giulia Re, underlined that elections are a cornerstone of democracy. "Today you are practicing what it means to be an active and engaged citizen in a functional democracy. Your vote today, even though it is a simulated exercise, represents the kind of democracy we all want to see", said Ms. Re.
The APS Director, in the capacity of the implementing partner of this program, Mr. Erjon Tase, thanked the authorities, such asthe Central Election Commission (CEC) and the National Agency for Pre-university Education (AKAP), which enabled the successful implementation of the electoral educational campaign in 350 schools all over the country, even in the most remote areas, where the need for civic education is even higher.
The mock election session was organized as a simulated voting process in the class on a selected topic of school interest, where students took on relevant roles, suchas candidates, commissioners, observers, media, etc. Through this exercising it is expected that first time voters are practicing with the voting procedure avoiding possible irregularities on election day. After the elections, the project will continue monitoring the participation of young voters as well as its activity for integrating electoral education into civic education curricula in pre-university system.
This program is implemented as a collaboration between the Central Election Commission, the National Agency of Pre-university Education (AKAP) and the Academy of Political Studies (ASP), as part of the Council of Europe project "Strengthening the Election Integrity in Albania (SEI) with the financial support of the Federal Republic of Germany.
