The Democratic Party in Fier opened the process this Saturday to elect the new head of its local branch, in a race that is not unfolding on calm political ground. In addition to the five names on the ballot, the process is also being accompanied by question marks over the membership lists and the way the voting has been organized.
Five candidates in the race, 3,800 members eligible to vote
Running to lead the PD branch in Fier are Ardian Ferro, Enkelejda Veliu, Fatjon Semanjaku, Gentian Koçi and Festim Meta.
A total of 3,800 members of the Democratic Party in Fier have the right to vote, and they will determine the new leader of the local branch.
Voting hours and the next step
Polling centers opened at 08:00 and, according to the organizers, will remain open until 18:00.
After voting closes, the counting of votes is expected to begin, after which the winner of the race will be announced.
The process comes after prolonged clashes in the local branch
The vote is taking place after a long period of clashes and reorganization within the Democratic Party branch in Fier, making the result politically more charged than a routine internal party process.
Against this backdrop, the election of the new branch head is also seen as a test of control over local structures and of how the branch’s recomposition is being managed.
Public accusations over the lists and the predetermination of the winner
The race has been accompanied by disputes over the membership lists and the way the elections have been organized.
Former branch chairman Rrapi Gjika has publicly raised accusations of manipulation of the lists and predetermination of the winner. At this stage, the process remains open, but it is taking place under the shadow of these claims.
The vote in Fier is expected to produce not only the name of the new branch leader, but also a clear indication of the level of trust that members have in this process.
In a branch hit by internal clashes, the result will be read as much for the winner as for the legitimacy of the race.