OSCE-ODIHR about elections
24/06/2013 00:00
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The OSCE-ODIHR observing mission published the preliminary report for
the June 23rd elections, saying that the murder in Lac has stained the
electoral process.
OSCE-ODIHR gave these conclusions:
“The 23 June 2013 parliamentary elections were competitive with active citizen participation throughout the campaign and genuine respect for fundamental freedoms. However, the atmosphere of distrust between the two main political forces tainted the electoral environment and challenged the administration of the entire electoral process. Voting proceeded well, albeit with procedural irregularities, but counting was delayed in many areas.”
While Roberto Batelli, appointed as Special Coordinator of the OSCE Parliamnetary Assembly, underlined the need to recognize the result:
“These elections were important and offered to the electors real elections in a critical time for Albania. Now it the time for the political leaders to hear the people’s will, because the people were keen to express their vote and this will should not be withheld by politics. Politics is a key part of the elections, but the policies of the parties have resulted damaging, same as in the past”, Batelli declared.
He also mentioned the problems noted with the ballot count, and Conny McCormack declared that the voting process remains a problem which will be mentioned in the final report, after eight weeks, with the necessary recommendations.
“The voters have the right to hope for elections that are administered professionally and impartially”, McCormack said.
“During our observation, we noted how the politics has affected all levels of the administration. Although the voting was valued as positive on the Elections Day, our findings are preliminary for as long that the ballot counting process is still undergoing. The ODIHR mission will stay in Albania to observe the remaining phases of the process”, McCormack declared.
She was asked for an opinion about the certification of the result.
“We all know that the certification of the result is close, and it requires a qualified majority. This will be seen. We don’t have a crystal sphere to predict what will happen. The Electoral Code says that five votes are needed, a qualified majority”, McCormack declared.
The preliminary report also notes the failure of CEC to implement new technology in the ballot counting process, as the Electoral Code states.
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