Editing Politics of Albania (section)

== Elections ==
{{Further|Elections in Albania}}

Following the collapse of the communist regime in the nation, the [[Albanian Constitutional Assembly election, 1991|first multi-party elections]] were held in 1991, simultaneously with the [[Albanian Constitutional Assembly election, 1991|1991 parliamentary elections]].<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2001_91.htm Albania: Elections held in 1991] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612120711/http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2001_91.htm |date=2011-06-12 }} Inter-Parliamentary Union</ref> The 1998 [[Constitution of Albania]] guarantees the right to vote without restriction due to sex, race, social status, education level, or wealth.<ref>{{cite web|title=1998 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA|url=http://www.osce.org/albania/41888?download=true|website=osce.org|page=1|language=en|format=PDF|quote=Article 1 - Governance is based on a system of elections that are free, equal, general and periodic. Article 45 - The vote is personal, equal, free and secret.|access-date=2017-06-26|archive-date=2016-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120011149/http://www.osce.org/albania/41888?download=true|url-status=live}}</ref> Every [[Albanians|Albanian citizen]] who has reached the age of 18 has the right to vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=KUSHTETUTA E REPUBLIKËS SË SHQIPËRISË|url=http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/sq/al/al057sq.pdf|website=wipo.int|page=Article 45|language=sq|access-date=2017-06-05|archive-date=2013-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525165317/http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/sq/al/al057sq.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Regular elections take place for the office of the [[President of Albania|president]], [[Legislative elections in Albania|parliamentary]], county prefects, county assemblies, city and municipal mayors and city and municipal councils.

The president is elected through a [[secret vote]] and without debate by the [[Parliament of Albania|Parliament]] by a majority of three-fifths majority of all its members, for five years.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Corinne Deloy|title=The Presidential Post in Albania|url=http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/1325-bujar-nishani-new-president-of-albania|website=robert-schuman.eu|language=en|access-date=2017-06-20|archive-date=2018-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207102756/https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/eem/1325-bujar-nishani-new-president-of-albania|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Constitution of Albania|Constitution]] sets a limit to a maximum of two terms in office.<ref>{{cite web|title=KUSHTETUTA E REPUBLIKËS SË SHQIPËRISË|url=http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/sq/al/al057sq.pdf|website=wipo.int|page=Article 88.1|language=sq|access-date=2017-06-05|archive-date=2013-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525165317/http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/sq/al/al057sq.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The Parliament is elected to a four-year term in twelve multi-seat constituencies analogous to the 12 [[Counties of Albania|county]] borders, with amendments to achieve a uniform number of eligible voters in each constituency to within 3%. Within the constituencies, seats are elected by [[closed list]] [[proportional representation]], with an [[electoral threshold]] of 3% for parties and 5% for alliances.<ref>[http://electionguide.org/election.php?ID=1942 Election Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030346/http://www.electionguide.org/election.php?ID=1942 |date=2016-03-04 }} IFES</ref> Seats were allocated to alliances using the [[d'Hondt system]], then to political parties using the [[Sainte-Laguë method]].<ref name="ipu">{{cite web|url=http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2001_B.htm|title=IPU PARLINE database: ALBANIA (Kuvendi), Electoral system|author=Inter-Parliamentary Union|publisher=ipu.org|access-date=2014-01-25|archive-date=2013-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022014450/http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2001_B.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The county prefects and city and municipal mayors are elected to four-year terms by majority of votes cast within applicable local government units. A runoff election is held if no candidate achieves a majority in the first round of voting. Members of county, city, and municipal councils are also elected to four-year terms through [[proportional representation]].