Home > 6 Political parties > ALBANIA - Joint Opinion on the Amendements to the Constitution of 30 July of 2020 and to the Electoral Code of 5 Octobre 2020
 
 
 
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Paragraph 44
 

According to Article 67(4), the number of candidates in the multi-name list may not be less than the number of seats to be filled in the respective electoral zone, plus two. This may pose a challenge for small political parties or even coalitions, if their support level would let them have only a small number of seats in the Parliament. Most of the persons in the candidates’ list would not have a real chance to be elected. If the aim of the requirement is to avoid a situation where seats in the Parliament could remain vacant, a specific regulation may be provided for the filling of the vacant seats. Article 164 provides for safeguards against such a situation. The Venice Commission and ODIHR recommend revising Article 67(4) after the 2021 parliamentary elections in order to reduce the minimum number of candidates to appear on a list.