Newsroom
More work needed to improve elections in Albania
TIRANA 8 February 2001
TIRANA, 8 February 2001 - The Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Gerard Stoudmann, says that it is important that the Albanian Central Election Commission resumes its work immediately and takes required measures to prepare for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Mr. Stoudmann was speaking at a press conference in Tirana today, at the end of a two-day visit to assess the state of preparations for the forthcoming elections.
In October 2000, the International Election Observation Mission for the local elections in Albania concluded that the elections marked progress with respect to the previous practices.
"It is now essential that the forthcoming parliamentary elections represent further improvement," he said.
A number of shortcomings were identified by observers in October and the ODIHR made substantial recommendations for improving the management of elections for the parliamentary elections of 2001.
Ambassador Stoudmann concluded that the level of election preparations so far is disappointing. He noted that since last elections, most shortcomings highlighted have not been addressed, nor have ODIHR recommendations been implemented. Since the elections have to be held within five months and the closure of the election preparation period is only four months away, it is important that the Central Election Commission (CEC) resumes its work immediately and takes required measures urgently.
He pointed out that the CEC needs to improve its political and professional credibility and the three vacant seats now offer such opportunity. However, the CEC can and should continue to function until the reconstruction of a new membership through its civil service. There is thus no excuse nor reason for the CEC to have ceased working or to have not taken up its responsibilities for electoral preparations, he said.
Ambassador Stoudmann highlighted a number of measures that need to be taken:
Mr. Stoudmann commended the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) project for voter registration approved by the CEC on 7 December 2000 and hopes that its implementation by the CEC can start immediately without any further delays.
He also declared that the ODIHR and the OSCE Presence in Albania stand ready to support and assist the election preparations and the carrying out of the above-mentioned measures. However, the final responsibility for addressing the shortcomings and implementing the recommendations lies fully with election management bodies, specifically with the CEC and the Government of the Republic of Albania.
"ODIHR stands ready to monitor the 2001 parliamentary elections," he said.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana is expected to visit Tirana next week.
For more information, contact the Press Office, OSCE Presence in Albania, Rruga Donika Kastrioti, Vila 6, Tirana, Albania, tel.: +(355-4)235 993 ext. 153, 123, 132; fax: +(355-4) 235994 / 40001; e-mail oscepress@icc.al.eu.org; website: http: www.osce.org/albania/index.htm, or Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR Public Affairs Officer at +48-22-520 06 00
Mr. Stoudmann was speaking at a press conference in Tirana today, at the end of a two-day visit to assess the state of preparations for the forthcoming elections.
In October 2000, the International Election Observation Mission for the local elections in Albania concluded that the elections marked progress with respect to the previous practices.
"It is now essential that the forthcoming parliamentary elections represent further improvement," he said.
A number of shortcomings were identified by observers in October and the ODIHR made substantial recommendations for improving the management of elections for the parliamentary elections of 2001.
Ambassador Stoudmann concluded that the level of election preparations so far is disappointing. He noted that since last elections, most shortcomings highlighted have not been addressed, nor have ODIHR recommendations been implemented. Since the elections have to be held within five months and the closure of the election preparation period is only four months away, it is important that the Central Election Commission (CEC) resumes its work immediately and takes required measures urgently.
He pointed out that the CEC needs to improve its political and professional credibility and the three vacant seats now offer such opportunity. However, the CEC can and should continue to function until the reconstruction of a new membership through its civil service. There is thus no excuse nor reason for the CEC to have ceased working or to have not taken up its responsibilities for electoral preparations, he said.
Ambassador Stoudmann highlighted a number of measures that need to be taken:
- The updating of the voter register needs to be started immediately, with all contractual and logistical arrangements, in an environment of enhanced transparency.
- The complaints procedure needs to be clarified through CEC instructions and through the court system.
- A Memorandum of Understanding on defining the separate tasks of the Government and CEC in election preparations needs to be signed as a matter of urgency.
- The CEC needs to clarify aspects in the Electoral Code through the issuing of rules and regulations.
- Parliament needs to approve the electoral zone boundaries by the statutory deadline having taken into account the concerns raised by all political parties.
Mr. Stoudmann commended the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) project for voter registration approved by the CEC on 7 December 2000 and hopes that its implementation by the CEC can start immediately without any further delays.
He also declared that the ODIHR and the OSCE Presence in Albania stand ready to support and assist the election preparations and the carrying out of the above-mentioned measures. However, the final responsibility for addressing the shortcomings and implementing the recommendations lies fully with election management bodies, specifically with the CEC and the Government of the Republic of Albania.
"ODIHR stands ready to monitor the 2001 parliamentary elections," he said.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana is expected to visit Tirana next week.
For more information, contact the Press Office, OSCE Presence in Albania, Rruga Donika Kastrioti, Vila 6, Tirana, Albania, tel.: +(355-4)235 993 ext. 153, 123, 132; fax: +(355-4) 235994 / 40001; e-mail oscepress@icc.al.eu.org; website: http: www.osce.org/albania/index.htm, or Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR Public Affairs Officer at +48-22-520 06 00