OSCE Presence and CoE Office in Tirana note measures to better verify voters' identity and deter fraudulent use of birth certificates in Albanian Elections

TIRANA, 1 July 2005 - The OSCE Presence and the Office of the Council of Europe in Albania have taken a positive note of the decision by the Albanian Central Election Commission (CEC) to require additional documentation should the identity of a voter, who presents a birth certificate only, be called into question by at least two members of a Voting Centre Commission.

The decision taken by the Albanian CEC addresses concerns that have arisen over the potential fraudulent use of stolen or illegally acquired birth certificates on the forthcoming election day, Sunday, 3 July.

"This decision by the CEC, together with other measures taken earlier, aims to improve the verification of voters' identity and reduce the room for possible fraud," said Ambassador Pavel Vacek, the Head of the OSCE Presence.

"It must be applied judiciously and in conjunction with all other safeguards available, namely the consistent application of invisible ink on the fingers of voters."

It is essential to properly inform the public of the additional safeguards and of the need for the voters intending to use their birth certificates to also present supplementary documents proving their identity.

The OSCE Presence and the Office of the Council of Europe reiterate their call to all parties, their candidates and the election administration to abide by all the laws governing the electoral process, including the higher standards of the Code of Conduct, and to demonstrate the political will to conduct elections according to international standards.