SP-DP: Close to agree on electronic ballot count

The importance of these two elements was proved by the presence of the OSCE and ODIHR experts, high rank Albanian politicians and the highest diplomatic representatives.

Why are these two matters important? The first opens the possibility to include new technologies in the elections through the Electoral Code. The second is related with the power that the parties will have in the election administration. Both are key points for free and honest elections. Since one of the weakest points is the vote counting, the democrats and the socialists are trying to find a new and transforming way for the Albanian Elections.

Top Channel has learned that although there are no written amends, the majority and opposition have been close to finding an agreement for including the electronic voters’ identification and the electronic ballot count, a request that the opposition has made even earlier.

For making this concept more concrete and for getting the public to know the priorities of the technology in the vote counting process, the Commission had invited some international companies that explained to the journalists how the electronic ballot counting works. This is a giant industry, wide spread throughout the world, offering different possibilities through for the ballot count. A British company, for example, is able to secure a reliable result in eight hours. Another company based in the US offers results in two hours, due to the triple powered machinery processes.

Another interesting proposition comes from Estonia, one of the countries with the highest electoral technology. The Estonian practice proposes internet voting and ballot count right after the vote. The decision for what type of technology will be used is not taken yet, but it is important the fact that the parties are willing to include technology in the ballot count, which, if realized, will lay the foundation for free and honest elections in Albania.

Diplomats: Conclude with the reform

Technology cannot make miracles if the people who use it, the politicians on this case, will not have the necessary will for using it according to the law.

The Albanians have always been criticized by their international partners on this point. Now they request the parties to reestablish the trust and make a complete electoral reform within the deadlines, without damaging the standard of this product.

“It is important to not make anything that could sabotage the Parliamentary elections of 2013. It is important to not delay and not complete the reforms on the last minute. With this delay, the government is exposed to critics for rushing things over, only for claiming that they are complete. The delay also gives the government the opportunity to criticize the opposition of blocking the process and of not giving its best. This is a critical moment. The way how this reform will be made will have a direct effect on Brussels’ progress report”, declared the US Ambassador, Alexander Arvizu.

“Rushed and last minute solutions cannot be an alternative. Allow me to say that it is absolutely essential to give the maximum of good will and trust in the process, so that the reforms can succeed. I suggest all parties to engage in a constructive process, completely based on the inter-partial dialogue, mutual respect and unconditioned cooperation”, declared the OSCE Ambassador, Eugen Wollfarth.

Reflecting on the readiness of the Electoral Reform Commission for working in a good will, the Parliament Speaker, Jozefina Topalli, expressed her trust that the consensus will be reached on time, as it happened four years earlier.

The last deadline for the Electoral Reform Commission is 30 April 2012. Experts say that this period is enough for concluding the electoral reform, if everything will go well and the parties will not bring the process on the last minute.

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