OSCE Presence hosts meeting with internationals, State Election Commissioner, ahead of 14 May local government elections in Albania

With less than two months from the local government elections of 14 May, Head of the OSCE Presence Ambassador Guido De Sanctis hosted today a meeting with the Heads of Missions of OSCE participating States and international organizations in Albania to exchange information and co-ordinate assistance and positions on elections.

State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi – who attended part of the meeting - briefed participants on the preparations conducted by Central Election Commission (CEC) ahead of the elections, and answered their questions. He thanked the OSCE and other international partners for their continuous support to the CEC.  

Ambassador De Sanctis spoke about the findings of the OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission report and recalled previous recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR remaining to be addressed. Considering the CEC as one of the closest and most trusted long-term partners, he assured of the continuation of the support to this institution.

Today’s event was a special meeting of the OSCE Presence-initiated International Election Working Group – a forum of representatives of the OSCE participating States and international organizations in Albania that meets periodically to exchange information and co-ordinate positions.