OSBE- ODHIR confirms the mission of 30 long-term observers and 400
short-term observers for the elections of June 2013 in Albania.
The two organizations have release a preliminary report for the election preparation process in Albania, in which they show their concerns about the elections.
“There is a polarized environment from the two main parties. The political environment in Albania on the verge of the elections is tense and a result of a long conflict between the two parties”, says the preliminary report of OSCE ODIHR. This conflict could have a negative impact in the elections of June. There’s mistrust that the political forces will have the political will for democratic elections”, the report says.
“There’s concern about a possible pressure on voters and for a misuse of government funds”, the report adds.
The report says that the Central Election Commission seems unable to take important consensual decisions.
“CEC was unable o decide about the mandate distribution issue and the number of electoral administration zones. The lack of consensus could make CEC even more politicized”, the report declared.
“There have been delays in the implementation of the new technology and insufficient time to train the commissioners in Tirana and Fier”, is another concern raised in this report.
According to the ODIHR, the media environment in Albania is polarized and protects the political interests.
The report rejects the Prime Minister’s proposition to reduce the voters’ age to 16. “The elections are near, and the proposition to reduce the voters’ age is not a good practice”, the report says.
The majority and opposition have hold different positions about the voters’ list, but both speak about irregularities with the names and addresses.
The ODIHR report values the new electoral law and sees the will for its implementation with scepticism.
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