A Historical Overview and Analysis on the Albanian Right to Vote 1912-1991

Abstract

The analysis of the right to vote in Albania for the period, from the declaration of independence, 1912 until the fall of the communist dictatorship system, 1991, is the object of this paper. During this period of the history of the Albanian state, the legislation that deals with issues of voting rights has been developed as an accompanying process and conditioned by the processes of political, social, economic and cultural development of our society. The Provisional Government of Vlora, 1912 is the initiator of the treatment of the right to vote, as a political and human right in Albania. Its legislative provisions are the embryos of this right, which were used and developed by successive governments. In the period after the First World War and during the system of the Parliamentary Monarchy, the legislation dealing with the right to vote and the electoral process was characterized by developments aimed at its approximation to the standards and requirements of international legislation, but in no case managed to solve the challenges obstacles that generated economic, social and cultural factors that characterized the Albanian society in that historical period. After the Second World War, essential changes were made in the Albanian legislation on the right to vote and elections, bringing it in line with international requirements and standards. Despite this, in the conditions of the political system of the dictatorship of the proletariat, this right was exercised only formally by Albanians. During this period it completely lost her mission.

Received: 7 June 2021 / Accepted: 10 July 2021 / Published: 15 July 2021