The election of three new members of the High Judicial Council began with a rare scenario: two candidates from the High Court received the same number of votes and the first winner was determined only by draw. In a process that directly affects the governance of the judicial system, the 179-179 tie between Sandër Simoni and Arbena Ahmeti left the final result to balls drawn by lot, not to a deciding vote.
A complete tie in voting, the decision left to the draw
After the votes were counted for the High Court candidates, Sandër Simoni and Arbena Ahmeti received 179 votes each.
The rules provide for a draw in such cases and, after the procedure with balls, Sandër Simoni emerged as the first winner of the race. This made him the winner in the segment of the contest for the High Court’s representation in the KLGJ.
Counting continues for the Appeal and First Instance levels
After this part of the voting closed, the process moved to candidates from the other levels of the judiciary, from which the two other new KLGJ members will also emerge.
Competing for the Appeal level are Igerta Hysi of the Special Appeal and Fatri Islamaj of the Tirana Appeal. Meanwhile, for the Court of First Instance, the candidates are Manjola Xhaxho, Brunilda Kadi and Matilda Llangozi.
The meeting was held amid tension over salaries and relations with the government
At the general meeting of 353 judges, where the three new KLGJ members are being chosen, the clash over magistrates’ salaries and the intervention of political institutions in this issue resurfaced.
The President of the High Court, Sokol Sadushi, responded positively to the prime minister’s invitation for dialogue on salaries, but stressed that judges must be clear that constitutional adjudication on salaries is not replaced by a consultation table.
Other interventions in the meeting also raised the critical tone. Appeal judge Fatmir Ismalaj described the blocking of salaries and the subsequent emergency approvals as a blow to judicial independence and the constitutional order. Meanwhile, Sandër Simoni said judges remain in joint action to protect a salary that, according to him, must remain within constitutional limits.
Candidates raised concerns about the KLGJ and conditions in courts
Beyond the debate on salaries, the candidates in the race highlighted problems related to the functioning of the KLGJ, judicial infrastructure and inequality in workload.
Igerta Hysi called for the KLGJ to be a strong shield of judicial independence. Arbena Ahmeti emphasized the need for dignified, safe and welcoming courts for parties and the public.
Brunilda Kadi spoke about the need for rules on the use of technology and artificial intelligence in courts, stressing that they should help the judge and the administration, not replace human judgment.
Manjola Xhaxho raised concerns about strong inequalities in the number of cases handled by judges, while Matilda Llangozi stressed that a strong judiciary requires not only independence, but also high accountability to the law and citizens.
The first result of this race highlighted not only an extreme tie in votes, but also the tense climate in which the election of the new KLGJ members is taking place.
Amid the debate on salaries, independence and working conditions in courts, the process amounts to more than a formal vote: it tests how capable the system remains of governing itself without pressure and without procedural improvisation.