Democracy and free elections, EDITORIAL

By, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juelda LAMÇE

This edition is dedicated to democracy and free elections as cornerstones of a free and just society. It incorporates contributions that delve into the intricate dynamics of law, politics, and governance. In the specific, they focus on the right to vote, the role of political parties in democratic systems, the threat of populism, clientelism, corruption, citizen awareness and other stimulating cutting-edge issues. Selected research papers address challenges on election systems in Albania and abroad, identifying strengths and weaknesses of different systems and potential avenues for improvement. Protecting the sanctity of the right to vote, not just as a fundamental human right but also as a means to verify the proper functioning of democracy, implies removing barriers to participation, combating voter suppression, and upholding the integrity of the electoral process.