The reform has not touched upon the legal framework for referenda. Article 185 in the final and transitory provisions provides that “Part Nine "Referenda" of the law No. 9087, dated 19.06.2003, "The Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania", as amended, as well as any part of its provisions that are related to it, remains in force until the approval of the new law on general and local referenda.” A recent controversy over the notions of “constitutional referendum” and “general referendum” suggests that aspects of the chapter on referenda should be further clarified. The provisions on referenda could be integrated into the Code or left to be regulated by a special law, but it is recommended to avoid unreasonable differences between the conduction of elections and referenda, as otherwise there will be need for additional education of the members of Electoral Commissions and problems in conducting the voting might appear more easily.
