Voters in five Albanian municipalities – Berat, Vlorë, Cërrik, Mat, and Tepelenë – will go to the polls on Sunday to elect new mayors, following a series of resignations that left the posts vacant.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) said it has completed the distribution of election materials in all five municipalities, where 334,539 citizens are registered to vote.

Campaigning officially ended on Friday, ushering in the mandatory day of electoral silence. The campaign period was notably subdued, with Prime Minister Edi Rama and Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha staying away from local rallies – a departure from their usual involvement in such contests.

According to the CEC, around 172,000 voters are registered in Vlorë, more than 82,000 in Berat, 39,000 in Cërrik, 29,000 in Mat, and 12,600 in Tepelenë.

Candidates in the Race

Berat: Ervin Ceca of the ruling Socialist Party (PS) faces independent candidate Pavlo Shkarpa.

Vlorë: Brunilda Mersini (PS), who resigned her parliamentary seat to run for mayor, is competing against Dionis Sota and Gjergj Nika, both linked to the Democratic Party (PD).

Cërrik: Florenc Doka (PS) faces Amarildo Hoxha, an independent backed by the PD, and Eligert Hima from the small party “Movement Albania Becomes.”

Mat: Altin Bojni (PS) is running against Suzana Pasha (independent) and Eduart Brahilika, supported by the PD.

Tepelenë: Gramoz Sako (PS) is competing with Gabriel Guma, an independent supported by opposition groups.

Why the By-Elections Are Being Held

The contests were called after several sitting mayors vacated their positions.

In Berat, Mat, and Tepelenë, mayors resigned after being elected to parliament.

In Cërrik, former mayor Andis Hasalla left to become Minister of Agriculture.

In Vlorë, Ermal Dredha resigned following criticism from Prime Minister Rama.

The by-elections are seen as a mid-term test for the ruling Socialists, who dominate local government across Albania, and for an opposition still grappling with internal divisions.