As the electoral campaign kicked off, 65 representatives of general and special prosecutor offices, as well as the Central Election Commission enhanced their capabilities to prevent, investigate, and adjudicate electoral offences concerning 2025 parliamentary elections. Recognizing the critical importance of safeguarding election integrity and protecting democracy, this initiative aimed to equip legal professionals with both international and domestic insights into the challenges of electoral offences and political parties financing.

This two-days training initiative was supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe, in close collaboration with the Albanian School of Magistrates, and targeted primarily the newly established special units dedicated to the prevention and investigation of electoral offences.

The training covered various critical areas, with a focus on typologies of political and electoral finance offences, including how to detect illicit campaign financing and identify warning signs in political party reports. Experienced experts from the Council of Europe and the Albanian School of Magistrates provided practical tools and investigative techniques, drawing from both European examples and Albanian case studies. Strong emphasis was given to the collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the Central Election Commission, as an oversight body, for ensuring proactive, transparent, and timely identification, investigation, and adjudication of electoral violations.

This initiative represents a vital step to ensuring that the 2025 parliamentary elections are marked by integrity, fairness, and transparency.

It was organised by the Action against Economic Crime in Albania, as part of the joint European Union/Council of Europe joint programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye.