REFLECTIONS WHILE CHOOSING AN ELECTORAL SYSTEM - THE CASE OF ALBANIA

Abstract

This paper aims to present some reflections and legal issues that are crucial andshould be considered when choosing an electoral system. The paper will present currentAlbanian legislation and practices in the process of conferring, choosing and implementingthe electoral systems in Albania as well as citizens rights and preferences with regards tothese issues, as a fundamental pillar of democracy and rule of law.Albania, as many other post communist countries is going through a long process ofdemocratization of life and institutions and is also facing challenges on its road to EUintegration, to tolerant and governments and open-minded society. Elections are very crucialpolitical processes for electing citizens to run the country and take all major decisions on thebehalf of the others. Choosing an electoral system according to which votes of citizens will betransformed into seats of Parliament or offices for elected officials is a very complex processthat requires consideration from all actors such as political parties, citizens, group ofinterests, non governmental organizations etc. These actors, being political or non-politicalones will need to come up with an elaborated decision for choosing the most appropriateelectoral system for a country, since there are many of them implemented all around theworld. Factors, elements, issues, citizen's interests, elections formulas and features to beconsidered when choosing an electoral system, as a matter of choice will be presented moredeeply in this paper.