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OSCE welcomes progress in reforming Albania's election law, urges swift resolution on remaining issues
TIRANA 1 April 2003
TIRANA, 1 April 2003 - The OSCE Presence in Albania and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) welcome the consensual agreement by the bi-partisan committee of the Albanian parliament on improvements to the Electoral Code. A total of 16 packets of amendments and recommendations have been agreed by the committee in a process that has been characterized by constructive debate.
"We welcome the amendments agreed by the committee, in particular relating to media coverage, the role of police and state authorities during elections, voter lists and the administrative procedures for complaints and appeals," said Ambassador Osmo Lipponen, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania. "By demonstrating political will to address these issues, the committee has made significant technical improvements to the electoral framework."
The mandate of the bi-partisan parliamentary committee ended on 31 March, but was extended for an additional week by parliament to enable a number of outstanding issues to be addressed.
"Through responsible leadership by the co-chairs, the committee has addressed many of the recommendations contained in the ODIHR final report on the 2001 parliamentary elections," said Ambassador Christian Strohal, Director of the ODIHR. "We now urge that remaining issues be resolved swiftly so that preparations can begin for the upcoming local elections."
The OSCE Presence, ODIHR and the Council of Europe have been supporting the work of the committee since its establishment by the Assembly of Albania in May 2002. During its mandate, the committee has examined concerns surrounding the 2001 elections and developed consensus on a wide range of issues relating to the electoral framework, enabling drafting of specific amendments to the Electoral Code to take place.
"We welcome the amendments agreed by the committee, in particular relating to media coverage, the role of police and state authorities during elections, voter lists and the administrative procedures for complaints and appeals," said Ambassador Osmo Lipponen, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania. "By demonstrating political will to address these issues, the committee has made significant technical improvements to the electoral framework."
The mandate of the bi-partisan parliamentary committee ended on 31 March, but was extended for an additional week by parliament to enable a number of outstanding issues to be addressed.
"Through responsible leadership by the co-chairs, the committee has addressed many of the recommendations contained in the ODIHR final report on the 2001 parliamentary elections," said Ambassador Christian Strohal, Director of the ODIHR. "We now urge that remaining issues be resolved swiftly so that preparations can begin for the upcoming local elections."
The OSCE Presence, ODIHR and the Council of Europe have been supporting the work of the committee since its establishment by the Assembly of Albania in May 2002. During its mandate, the committee has examined concerns surrounding the 2001 elections and developed consensus on a wide range of issues relating to the electoral framework, enabling drafting of specific amendments to the Electoral Code to take place.