The OSCE-ODIHR Mission, led by Conny McCormack, published an interim
report that analyzes some electoral aspects seen so far about the June
23rd elections.
The report starts with the problematic of the highest electoral institution in Albania, the Central Election Commission, for which it says that is currently functioning with four members, which hampers their ability to administer the process as the law requires.
The Electoral College has judged 11 complaints against the Central Election Commission decisions so far, after the latter failed to reach a decision. The report notes that while the election preparations are on, there have been delays in some legal deadlines that have not been implemented on time.
The Central Election Commission holds public meetings, but their decisions are never published, and this brings lack of transparency. Some of the decisions have been criticized for lacking of motivation based on the law.
The report notes that the electoral campaign is generally calm, but the OSCE-ODIHR observers have noted that some government activities have been used for electoral purposes.
“The inauguration of new roads and infrastructure projects has been accompanied by the flags of the Democratic Party and their electoral slogan”, the report notes.
“The Prime Minister’s website publishes his electoral activities. On May 13th the Prime Minister published an order saying that high rank officials are not allowed to use public funds for electoral purposes”, the report underlines.
The report says that the opposition is claiming that the public sector employees have been asked to participate in electoral meetings to support the ruling party.
Another claims is related with their supporters, who have represented the opposition at the Central Election Commission in the past elections, and that they or their family members have been fired for political reasons.
The OSCE-ODIHR observers met some of the former employees who confirmed these claims.
Although the law forbids publicity videos paid by the public institutions, they have been broadcasted through private and public television channels.
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