Aspects from the Parliamentary Elections’ Campaign of 1925 in the Prefecture of Elbasan

Introduction

Parliamentary elections in Albania, as innovation was conducted in April 1921. It was the first experience of conducting a parliamentary election campaign in a country like Albania, with a fragile democracy, but it was the first experience of the expression of political pluralism within a it was Parliament legislative institution. Continued tradition started after the Constituent Assembly elections of 1923, the new experience it, shaped in Congress Lushnjës which will determine the form of the regime in Albania. After the organization of the election campaign and the final determination of the regime, the Constituent Assembly was returned to Parliament. It was decided to form the Parliamentary Monarchy regime legitimate elections in the triumph of the Revolution until June 1924. The fall of the Revolution in December 1924¹ under the new circumstances dictate policy for Albania and Albanians. Restoring legality of the government brought to power before the triumph of the revolution Ahmet Zogu. On 21 January 1925 the Constitutional Assembly declared Albania a Parliamentary Republic; on 31 January approved articles of the Republican status. "The Constituent Assembly to accept the Republican regime definitive form at the base of Albania or such elaborate constituent statute, which was started to talk 31 january 1925 and end on 2 March 1925. The Albanian nation devoid of Independent, tall and for his time past and confident for next time, in the Constitutional Assembly had decided his fundamental charter, according to which bone Shqipnia parliamentary republic headed by a President. Sovereignty emanates from the people. The national flag is red with black eagle... ".² This status dictate and declared President Ahmet Zog of Albania Parliamentary Republic. After the lecture system, Republican Constituent Assembly returned to Parliament.³ Status of Parliamentary Republic sanctioned separation of the independence⁴ of powers. It was the first and last in the political history of Albania's Parliamentary Assembly, composed of two chambers: the Senate⁵ and Chamber of Deputies. Senators, 2/3 of whom were elected by the people, and 1/3 by the President of the Republic. In this regard Elbasani a newspaper quoted one of the items: "...be composed of the 18-member Senate alone, of which two thirds are elected by the people, and others appointed by the President ... Two-thirds of the first elected Senators outside rule but of Assembly, while the third was appointed of the President of the Republic".⁶ Constituent Assembly on March 2nd Senate chose 12 representatives of 18 that should be total, 6 were appointed by the President.

Elbasan senators elected on 3 March 1925 were chosen Shefqet Vërlaci, while appointed by the President of the Republic Andon Beca.⁷ In the absence of the electoral system in the country, on 14 March 1925 by the Parliament came law on parliamentary elections. On the basis of this law it was again the manner of voting ballots, and allow for abuses; filling it can be done through a person acting on behalf of voters outside the polling station. This electoral law excluded women, soldiers, gendarmes and police, prisoners, bankrupts and beggars in private activities. Men who were entitled to the election must be over 18 years and when should not have been elected state officials. The officers had the right to candidacy as MP, but were not insured for t`u turned back to the task that they had.

May 1925 parliamentary elections in Albania were made as mentioned above in the context of a past experience (1921-1923) but in new conditions and circumstances. In the parliamentary elections of April 1921 attended by two parties: the Progressive People and Indipendente; in the Constituent Assembly elections of December 1923 political forces grouped in the clique and the democratic opposition, and in the May 1925 elections there was opposition, political parties and independent deputies. Despite progress realized during the years 1920-1924, Albania on the eve of these elections (in May 1925) was presented as a country with a "... 85% of the illiterate population and where bureaucracy made the law. Elections become two stages: the first voters were formally by the people; of those voters chose the second, who gave it to government listing deputies vote. Another list had not...".⁸

In the context of the topic chosen le focus specifically on the implementation of the Parliamentary election campaign in Elbasan Prefecture.⁹ After the release of the election law and in the framework of implementation thereof, on March 14, 1925 Ministry of Internal Affairs sends a circular Prefecture Elbasan signed by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Teki Selenica in which caption: "To notice of action you send 200 pieces deputies laws on the election of the Chamber of Deputies, rejected by the Constitutional Assembly after the presidency his letter no. 105 dated 2/3/925 decreed that implementation of His Excellency, the President of the Republic."¹⁰ The reaction of the Prefecture of Elbasan about the letter of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was immediate. This prefecture on March 17, 1925 came with a letter in which showed the way distribution laws for electing the representatives of the Chamber of Deputies on the basis of sub-prefectures and provinces Prefecture. Simultaneously asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent a representative who should have been present in the Commission that would deal with the preparation of electoral lists. Distribution of laws by the Prefecture of Elbasan was made in this way: "The sub-prefecture Gramsh 35 pieces, Province Rovers 35, Qukës 20, Çermenikë 20, shines 20, Hall 50, About Command 1, Office 1, the Court Start 1, 1 Department Recruitment ... Hall, Chief Court additional Start ...¹¹ According to article 16 of Chapter V of the law in question asked to emnohet nji delegates by that office to participate with the Commission that is responsible for drafting the electoral lists and notify us your Name it."¹² On March 18, 1925 Mayor of Elbasan Izet Dibra led a letter Prosecution of this city in which it sought to draw up a list of the persons who are excluded from the right to the use of voting on the basis of the electoral law approved by Parliament. The content of the letter stated: "Pursuant to art. 8 to the laws for the election of the Chamber of Deputies, asked to prepare one list which contain name’s, adjectives and all the notes relative to persons county this prefecture, which Bayne mentioned points of listed below item mentioned above, and presented to us without delay; Those who are vue judgment under custody due to mental health; They have drilled bankrupt and have not received restitution of rights civilized (Rehabilitation); Those arrested or convictedcrime and those found to a prisoner because roughly execution of the sentence for offense punishable with imprisonment under 6 months. The present Chief commencement Court dated March 18, 1925. Prosecutor ".¹³

Realization of the electoral process for the choice of electors second out of the voters will see lists drawn up in the prefecture, was scheduled to begin on April 17, 1925 for Elbasan. Kasem Sejdini, Elbasan Mayor on March 27, 1925 through a letter from the institution representing the Mayor of Elbasan addressing Mr. Izet Dibra in connection with the municipal authority to postpone the vote on the second yoke. Motive of this letter to postpone the elections was the fact that the timing of the elections coincided with two official celebrations of the Orthodox Easter and Eid for Muslims. According to Mayor organizing elections at this time would bring a disorder electoral process. "According to the decree setting the date for voters voting begins second start voting on 17 / IV / 25 on Friday but two days after hitting the day of the Orthodox Passover and seven days after Eid it; two festivals was familiar formally that cause a total break and a no adjustment in run formalities affecting the issues. For this reason the municipality prays that prefecture with the knowledge to Ministrien to authorize the Municipality with the postponed start of voting for voters to second on 27 / IV / 25 after container Article 47 of the Statute for the vote of MPs as the deadline maximum sets a time month two and a half."¹⁴
Despite the concern of the Mayor of Elbasan, the elections can not be postponed because they were scheduled to be executed on certain days in certain areas for the first phase during the days of April and May 17 for the election of deputies. In the framework of the electoral process was raised and voting committees which were composed of three members: a representative of the court, a member of the City Council and a secretary Elbasan. Some of the commissions¹⁵ that were created are: Commission I of city: Z.Mexhid Court peacemakers; Haxhi Musa Ali member of the City Council; Reshat Kahramani Hall secretary; Commission II Çermenikës: Beqir Sejdini lawyer; Shefqet Baholli member of the Municipality; Haki Sejdini secretary; Commission III Throat Zaranikës: Murat Bey Pytës; Hysen Shabanaj member of the Municipality; Emin Ferit Bey secretary; Commission IV Krrabë: Shefqet Daiu lawyer; Musa Ali Hoxha member of the City Council; Ibrahim Perihana Secretary; Commission V Dumre: Kombet Gjergji lawyer; Haxhi Jusuf Dobrova antar member of the Municipality; Neki Sejdini secretary; Commission VI Shpat: Ahmet Sinan lawyer; Xhemali Vyshka member of the Municipality; Dhimitër Siku secretary; Commission VII Qukës: Selami Libohova lawyer; Mayor Yusuf Hallva member; Sirri Simitçiu secretary; Commission VIII Librazhd: Salim Lunik lawyer; Zenel Tota member of the Municipality; Sheki Muftiu secretary.

On March 31 of Gramshi deputy mayor H. Selenica Elbasan Prefecture sent telegram which suggested that after the meeting of the elders of the villages were elected as members under prefecture municipality to be part of these members of election commissions: "Today, 31/3 / 925 in all nursing leadership collection of villages of this prefecture with joint votes were elected as members of Municipality Muharrem Jonuzi Çekin head villager, Xhaferr Dervish Darzezë head villager, village Bulçan Qazim Dyrmyshi member, Alderman villager Qazim Alla Dudinj.”¹⁶

Separate concern and normalcy present development of the electoral process, known as the echo after the Revolution of June was imminent. In view of this goal Command Elbasan presented a list¹⁷ which he headed the Ministry of Internal Affairs, a list with the names of 40 persons who were under its propaganda and regime opponents Zogist,¹⁸who not only excluded from voting but to arrest and deported. "Welded present a list that contains the names of some

persons opponents who secretly are doing propaganda against the regime today ... Please view us as given authorization to capture them and to be exiled from this city.”¹⁹.

There are two lists some of Elbasan personalities²⁰ that ran during the parliamentary elections of May 1925. The first list: Qemal Karaosmani, Behexhet Hydi, Taq Buda, Shefqet Daiu, Qemal Bobrati, Gani Bunga, Emin Shesha, Musa Ali Hoxha, Veniamin Haxhi Jakovi, Qamil Çiftja, Hiqmet Baholli, Qazim Xhepa, Veli Struga, Xhaferr Shabani. List Two²¹: Lef Nosi, Hysejn Dakli, Beqir Rusi, Dhimitër Papajani, Ibrahim Hastopalli, Tahsim Myftiu, Shefqet Baholli, Qamil Shkodra, Haxhi Q. Kulla, Shefqet Stringa, Hysejn Plangarica, Thanas Floqi, Faik Haseqiu, Muç Kotherja.

The election process for the second choice of voters in the Prefecture of Elbasan on the basis of available documents that took place in the last days of April and beginning of May 1925. This process ran smoothly and the results were made public by the minutes of the committee completed selected after the counting. Digital records was the same in the minutes following are completed for the province of Zaranikës elections held on April 20, 1925. "Being punished Parliamentary Committee election Zaranikës province after rotating appointed by a special commission, communication bam bass law dated 20.04.1925 today French alla 5:00 pm, by ready management the villages Cirujë, Mollagjesh, Guri i Zi ark was checked by step all the after it became clear that there was anything inside was closed by seal with red dyell began voting where the population voted villages Cirujë, Mollagjesh, Brant, Gur Black that includes this area in end voting after pull them 5 pm alla francs again before all opened crates and were counted paper ballots where Confor 205 pieces duel in the list of voters as was sung by a beautiful one was found that 205 of these by Mr Selim has won by a village Cirujë Gina (205) votes, Dalip Alla from a village Mollagjesh, where it is understood that the majority of votes Osman Hyka has won Black stone, Islam Ceni from a village Mollagjesh who were given up by a beautiful decree was received by a beautiful announced receipt of tue of which are dated 17/5/925 in Elbasan voting of the deputies this process signed regularly with acts relative belonging to the area were closed with a envelope was municipal sent.²² "According to a record of neighborhood Shënkoll winner as voters second was Kosta Haxhi Nikolla:" In voting that took developed today Shinkollë neighborhood, notified is that voters are choosing the second of that neighborhood, to settle which of you are 17/5/925 in Elbasan date for voting of deputies.”²³ On 21/04/1925 management neighborhood confirmed winner Hazinedare Messrs Xhemali Vyshka, Sulejman Mulla Jonuzi, Demir Bakalli, Shyqri Myfti, Musa Efendi, Andon Beca, Shefqet Daiu…²⁴ On 21. 04.1925 in the presence of villages management Shirgjan, Gjergjan, Kuqan, Gjanim, medicine, was Bathës check for checkout and then opened and the counting of paper ballots total of 90 pieces conform voter list took these results, Mr. Hasan Kuqi winner from a village Kuqan, Idriz ... from a village Gjergjan, and communicated to be present in Elbasan voting of deputies was dated May 17, 1925.²⁵ “On 27.4.1925 date neighborhood management Alahydine present at the opening of the ark counted paper ballots, 144 pieces in the voters' lists rules that declared winner z.Xhaferr H. Musaj, Sali Mulla Jonuzi, Xhaferr P. Dylgjeri, Salim Luniku, Hafyz Musaj, which means that the majority of votes has won Z Sali Mulla Jonuzi, Xhaferr Dylgjeri, Xhaferr H. Musaj, Salim Lunik the neighborhood Alaydihine.²⁶ Management province of villages Krraba with Carabez, Plangaricë, Garunjë, dated on 02.05.1925 Budina cash after control of the villages where the population voted Carabez, Plangaricë, Garunjë, Budina, Tërbaç, Mihajan, Sallak, Kokunj that includes this area in end ballot paper ballots were counted 197 pieces in the voters' lists rules that the winner was announced, Mr. Ramazan Shaban Dybeli, taketh Long, Skender Hysen, Haxhi Ibrahim.”²⁷ After finishing the first phase of elections and the release of the winning candidates on May 4, 1925, the Ministry of Interior addressed a letter Office secret secret about candidates who must conquer in the second instance elections for deputies so. Obviously the list of winners was predetermined in advance and deputies to be included in the lists elected government.

The content of the document was quoted: "The application of fan would MP as government groups have to come Messrs Hasan Biçaku, Kasem Sejdini, Ahmet Hastopalli, Doctor Simon Popa, Selahydin Blloshmi, Qazim Dyrmyshi."²⁸ Two days later, ie, on May 6, 1925 Minister of Internal Affairs, Ceno Bey Kryeziu (Ahmet Zog brother-in-my note) addressed a letter to the Prefecture of Elbasan which requires secretly to give support to selected candidates: "Answers TNRes. 5th / V / 25. Secretly persons concerned with all the energy of your lord necessarily expected to support and benefit."²⁹

In the Chamber of Deputies after the elections of 17 May 1925 Elbasani was represented by deputies Ahmet Hastopalli, Hasan Biçakçiu, Kasem Sejdini who was later replaced by (Behexhet Hydi), Qazim Dyrmyshi, Selahudin Blloshmi, was replaced with (Hajdar Blloshmi) and Simon Popa.

In conclusion, we can conclude that the electoral process in the Prefecture of Elbasan as well as nationwide were held under a spirit of ideological and political pressure. Are in terms of the circumstances created after the collapse of the June Revolution, (the murder of Louis Gurakuqi- Bajram Curri active participants in the revolution of June) when legalistic that returned moderately already in power, seeking to strengthen not only the positions, power but and to suppress any form of pluralism and parliamentary democracy. As mentioned professor Arben Puto atmosphere of development of the electoral process for the election of the Chamber of Deputies, where among other things states: "... At the time of the first election, although there was no talk about violence or intimidation on voters, it was clear that electorate feared that violence and pressure can be used on every occasion that he would give even the slightest sign of opposition to the regime. In these circumstances, the outcome of voting was predetermined, only a small number of voters³⁰ bothered to vote exempt charter status principle of pluralism”.³¹

Newspapers “Elbasani” in writing her published in July 1925 in the wake of the closure of the first phase of the work of Parliament in relation to the people's representatives in the legislative body ordering, suggested and remain hopeful that the elected representatives in the lower house of Parliament shall protect, support and implement the interest of society and the people who had chosen and present It simply would not be formal in. Among other things, the paper noted that: "Senators and MPs hope that rest time will not go in vain but will be relations with all classes of the people with the studied plight, the shortcomings of their needs to an extent that when they return what to know again the people do who has loaded him go task eyes tight shut not ".³²

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