Like never before, the top representatives of some countries accredited to Tirana have stepped up their calls on Albanian citizens to have their say in the parliamentary elections of April 25 accompanied with warnings against any attempt by anyone to violate the law and obstruct citizens’ right to vote freely and in peace.
The EU and US ambassadors declared that the vote belongs to the citizens and called on them neither to give or sell it. “Democracy is invaluable,” the Ambassador said in a joint message released on Thursday.
Such a message comes a few days ahead of elections on April 25 which have been marred by many incidents some of which have caused fatalities, while the public order is disturbed.
Earlier on Thursday the US ambassador Yuri Kim said on Twitter that those who violate the law and obstruct citizens’ right to vote freely and in peace must be prosecuted fully. According to her, no one is above the law.
“I met PG Cela just now, will meet SPAK chief Kraja soon, and met Police Gen Director Veliu yesterday. The US message: Those violating the law & obstructing citizens’ right to vote freely & in peace must be prosecuted fully. No special treatment. No exceptions. No one is above the law,” said the full text of the statement of Yuri Kim.
On Wednesday, she released a strong message to the president, prime minister and DP head calling on them for self-restraint after the deadly shootout in the city of Elbasan.
“We firmly believe that the electoral campaign and the preparation of the elections are an extraordinary democratic opportunity, which cannot be stained with blood and violence,” said in a statement issued by the OSCE Presence in Tirana on Thursday.
Below the full statement of the OSCE’s Office in Tirana:
“The OSCE Presence in Albania noted with concern the violent incident that led to loss of life in Elbasan. Our thoughts are first with the family of the victim. We firmly believe that the electoral campaign and the preparation of the elections are an extraordinary democratic opportunity, which cannot be stained with blood and violence. We expect the police and the judicial institutions of Albania to fully investigate and prosecute this heinous crime.” /argumentum.al
