Lack of participation in the 2023 Elections, Shrinked Turnout by Region. 2023 compared to 2021 Process

In the local elections of 2023, only 38.23% of registered voters participated in the voting. According to data from the Central Election Commission for the May 14th elections, there were 3,650,658 registered voters, but only 1,395,645 voters cast their votes. Although the number of registered voters has been increasing year after year, the number of those who participated in the elections is the lowest in the elections held in Albania (excluding the year 2019 when the opposition decided to boycott the elections and not participate).

Compared to the parliamentary elections of 2021, the number of voters on the list has increased by 61,789 individuals. Meanwhile, according to official data from INSTAT, for the two-year period of 2021-2022, there were 65,350 individuals added as emigrants who have left Albania (difference between voters coming and voters leaving).

Taking these figures for granted, it can be concluded that at least 263,086 individuals who voted in 2021 hesitated to vote in the May 14th Elections.

In the 2021 elections, 1,662,274 people voted, while in 2023 elections, 266,647 fewer Albanians voted. If we subtract the net migration number and add the number of additional voters on the list, it turns out that precisely over 260,000 voters did not go to the polling stations.

Source: CEC
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

Turnout by regions. The region with the highest turnout in the May 14th, 2023 elections is Kukës, with 49.6% of eligible voters who voted. Following is the region of Dibër with 46.6% of individuals on the list who voted. Over 40% of voters on the list also voted in the region of Tirana, specifically 42.3%.

Around 39.6% is the turnout in Lezhë, followed by Elbasan with a rate of 38.8%. These are the regions with higher rates compared to the national average.

The region with the lowest turnout is Vlora, with only 27.6% of voters expressing their will. With a difference, second to last is Fier with 35.3%.

Source: CEC
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

The turnout in Kukës region has remained at the same levels as in 2021, with a slight increase of 0.4 percentage points. The region with the highest decline compared to two years ago is Tirana, specifically a decrease of 11 percentage points (from 53.2% to 42.3%). Fier marks the second-largest decline in turnout within two years, with a decrease of 10 percentage points.

Source: CEC
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

Compared to 12 years ago, specifically the 2011 elections, the smallest decline is in the Shkodra region, with a decrease of 9.7 percentage points. The highest decline in turnout over 12 years is recorded in the Kukës region, with a decrease of 16.1 percentage points.

Source: CEC
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

Source: CEC
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

The decline in election turnout can be explained by the loss of citizens’ trust in politics, and the fact that they do not see any of the parties or candidates as an alternative to be elected. Another alternative is that the lower turnout precisely reflects the problem of irregular emigration, meaning the number of Albanian citizens leaving Albania in ways that are not directly measurable.

Source: CEC
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania

Open Data Albania has published several articles with data and vizualizations from Electoral Processes and Electoral.

Download excel: Lack of participation in the 2023 Elections, Shrinked Turnout by Region. 2023 compared to 2021 Process
Comments and Analyses: Open Data Albania
Contributed by: Ilir Brasha
Translated by: Etleva Pushi