The Partia Demokratike has released new internal election guidelines as Sali Berisha prepares to run unopposed in the upcoming party leadership vote scheduled for 23 May.
The internal document, obtained by Top Channel, confirms that the campaign period within the party officially began on 15 May and will conclude 24 hours before voting day. Although the leadership race has no competing candidates, the process is being conducted under formal electoral procedures across the party structure.
According to the guidelines, every voting center will operate with structured committees responsible for both voting and ballot counting. Each committee will consist of three members, including either a deputy branch leader or branch chair, alongside two members from the local branch leadership. The party has also emphasized the presence of appointed representatives aligned with Berisha’s side in every voting and counting commission to ensure oversight and procedural transparency.
The document further clarifies voter eligibility rules, stating that all registered party members listed in official voter registries are eligible to vote. Additionally, members not included in the list may still participate if they present valid original documentation confirming their party membership.
Voting for the new party leader will take place on 23 May from 08:00 to 18:00, with ballot counting expected to begin no later than 30 minutes after polls close. Despite the uncontested nature of the race, the structured process signals an effort by the party to project organizational legitimacy and internal order during a politically sensitive period.