Incorporating technology in the parliamentary elections had a cost of €30 million. What portion of this new technology will be put to use in the upcoming local polls, is still unclear, that is why Euronews Albania reached out to the deputy State Election Commissioner to understand more on the matter.

The post-electoral verification of the technology hasn’t finished yet, however it appears that the equipment used in the April elections, such as electronic voter ID, will also be used at the local polls.

“Seeing the proper functioning of this technology, I am referring to biometric identification, normally it will be used in the upcoming elections”, said Lealba Pelinku, deputy State Election Commissioner.

In regards to electronic counting of the ballots, piloted in only one area in the capital, Pelinku noted that it will be extended to other parts as well, adding that the main requirement would be “political will”.

But political will may not be sufficient, as extending the procedure would also mean finding a new offer and someone to pay for it.

The current contract covers only 32 ballot centers. The Central Election Commission would therefore need a new offeror, and the latter has to fulfill the criteria on which the previous devices were tested and rendered functional.

€19 million was the cost for implementing biometric identification across the country, while another €10 million was spent on a pilot project in Tirana and the electronic counting of 32 ballot centers.