With Election Day almost three months away, the Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Vincenzo Del Monaco, alongside Swedish Ambassador Elsa Håstad, whose country holds the current Chairpersonship of the OSCE, hosted on Wednesday a meeting of the representatives of the international community in Albania to exchange information and co-ordinate positions in view of the 25 April parliamentary elections.
The Presence informed representatives of the OSCE participating States and international organizations about the highlights of the electoral reform process that saw the change of the Constitution, Electoral Code and other key legislation.
“We also informed about the projects of assistance to the Central Election Commission (CEC) and other local stakeholders during the remaining time until elections,” said a press release issued by the OSCE Presence in Tirana.
In order to facilitate dialogue between local actors and international community on election-related issues, the Presence invited to the meeting the State Election Commissioner, Ilirjan Celibashi. He briefed the participants on the status of CEC preparations for the organization of elections, in particular with respect to the application of technology, enabling the remote voting of the Albanian citizens living abroad, and monitoring cases of potential misuse of state resources for electoral campaign purposes. He also answered to questions from the Heads of Missions. In addition, Celibashi shared several challenges that the CEC faces in its activity, linked with the delayed establishment of a completely new CEC structure, and consequent pressure to deliver resulting from lack of time until elections.
The participants expressed full support to the CEC and encouraged the State Election Commissioner and all other election-related stakeholders to make their best in organizing and conducting elections that are in full compliance with the domestic legislation and the international standards. /argumentum.al
