By Lutfi Dervishi
Albania votes.
When the numbers are not what they seem—or how they’re reported!
Every election cycle, we hear talk of voter boycotts. Yet, the reality is quite the opposite.
Some media outlets are reporting low voter turnout in today’s elections, suggesting a lack of interest or even a boycott by the electorate. But the facts tell a completely different story:
Albania has 3.7 million registered voters. In reality, only about 1.8 million eligible voters actually live in the country, not counting the diaspora—which, notably, voted for the first time this year.
Even the most recent census, if we take it at face value, shows that Albania is home to just 2.4 million people total (including those under 18, who cannot vote).
According to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission, 41.37% of registered voters cast their ballot—that’s around 1,530,690 people (excluding diaspora votes).
That figure actually represents about 85% of eligible voters residing in the country. A participation rate that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, voter turnout across the region and even the European Union.
Raw numbers, when reported without context, can be misleading.
At a minimum, 85% voted!
Albanians can be criticized for many things—but not for failing to show up at the ballot box.