Rama reportedly wrote a letter to Albanian President Bairam Begai, requesting him to schedule the new elections, despite the 30-day appeal period for today’s decision not having elapsed yet.

Fredi Beleris, elected as mayor of Himara on May 14, was arrested just two days before the election results were announced on charges of vote-buying. He now has 30 days to decide whether to appeal the decision.

Chief Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi of the electoral commission emphasized that the decision was not biased and was made by legal procedures. However, Beleris’ lawyer argued that the electoral commission lacked the authority to nullify his term since he never officially served as mayor.

The decision has sparked controversy, with accusations of bias against the commission.