The Assembly is discussing the proposal to extend the validity period of the electronic ID card and passport until the end of May 2025, in order for the diaspora to vote and exercise their constitutional right to vote in the May 11 elections.
In his speech in parliament, Interior Minister Ervin Hoxha announced that there are around 520,000 citizens whose identification documents have expired or may expire by May 11.
"IdentiTek", as the biometric document production company, is continuing the round of applications with mobile teams in large cities abroad, where many Albanians live. But based on our estimates, the number of Albanian citizens with the right to vote, whose identification document has expired or may expire by May 11, is around 520 thousand citizens", said Hoxha, who called for the diaspora to be given the opportunity to vote in these elections.
Following this, the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, reacted and requested an extension of two weeks and not 4-5 days. According to Berisha, this act discriminates against Albanians, so the deadline should also be extended for Albanians within the country.
"The acts presented here are half-hearted and hypocritical because if it is a question of 800 thousand Albanians having expired documents and we approve the act enabling them to vote by giving them 4-5 days to do so. This is a ridiculous act that will brand this majority with another black and deserved stigma. If we approve this act, let's extend this act by 10 days to 15 days for their ability to vote. This act that you propose discriminates against Albanians. If you extend the deadline for Albanians who are abroad, it should also be valid for Albanians who are inside."
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