Central Election Commission, OSCE Presence in Albania hold Conference on Electoral Code Reform

Representatives of government institutions, parliament, political parties, civil society and international organizations met in Tirana on 30 June 2014 to discuss the electoral code reform and the implementation of election recommendations made by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The event was organized by the Central Election Commission (CEC) in co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania, the Council of Europe’s Office in Tirana, and the office of UN Women in Albania.

Addressing participants in the conference were Lefterije Luzi, CEC Chairperson; Ambassador Florian Raunig, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania; Ilirjan Celibashi, Minister for Relations with Parliament; Oerd Bylykbashi, Deputy Chair of the Assembly’s Laws Committee and expert on electoral issues; and Steven Martin, OSCE/ODIHR Election Advisor.

“With the next local elections coming up in mid-2015, now is the time for the Albanian authorities to develop a roadmap for the implementation of the outstanding OSCE/ODIHR recommendations,” said Ambassador Florian Raunig, Head of the OSCE Presence. Raunig said that the Albanian Assembly should take immediate action to fill the vacancies at the CEC. “The incomplete composition of the CEC has significantly hindered its proper functioning, including the administration of elections.”

The CEC Chairperson Lefterije Luzi said: “The Central Election Commission, in an effort to responsibly perform its constitutional mandate and to ensure compliance with the highest election standards, is ready to consider expert suggestions and recommendations for improving its activity and the quality of the election process.”

Minister Celibashi reiterated the commitment of the Albanian Government for the full implementation of the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. He also expressed the Government’s support to “the professional endeavour on the part of the CEC, OSCE Presence in Albania, and Council of Europe to establish a training centre for the election administration.”

Member of Parliament Bylykbashi drew attention to the need to launch without further delay the electoral code reform, urging its consensual approval at the Assembly. He also emphasized that the phenomenon of vote-buying was “of concern”.

The Conference participants put forth a package of recommendations aimed at improving the Electoral Code. The recommendations are related to various aspects of the election process, such as the establishment of a training platform for election commissioners; the observance of electoral gender quota; the access to the right to vote by persons with disabilities; the media’s role in electoral campaigns; and the financing of political parties and electoral campaigns. The CEC will forward the package to the Assembly of Albania.