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In Albania, the prevention of election crimes and the fulfillment of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations on the improvement of the electoral process is becoming a main topic of debate, while the preparations for the next general elections have begun.
Today, the OSCE held a meeting with the CEC, SPAK, the police and civil society, where they called for the implementation of the law in the electoral process as well as for the investigation of electoral crimes.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe called today on state and judicial institutions to investigate any evidence related to vote buying and pressure on voters.
The head of the OSCE representation in Albania, Ambassador Michel Tarran, said today in a joint meeting with the CEC, the police, the prosecutor's office and local activists who observe the election processes that stronger enforcement of the law is needed against anyone involved in the past in the violation of elections through vote buying.
"Now is the right time to evaluate the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and to address the issues raised on improving the behavior of state institutions regarding vote buying and other electoral violations," said Ambassador Tarran.
He emphasized that the ODIHR's recommendations are the best implementation of legal measures regarding election violations and the investigation of election crimes as quickly and decisively as possible.
"Iron strikes while it's hot or justice delayed is justice denied." The OSCE is ready to support steps against election crimes as other elections approach. We are ready to support any measure that is necessary. Accountability is essential to send a strong message that election crimes will not be tolerated," said OSCE Ambassador Tarran.
On the other hand, the chief state commissioner of elections, Ilirjan Celibashi, emphasized that despite the improvements in the electoral process, the phenomena of abuses and legal violations are present, although it is not measurable according to him how much they affect the quality of the elections and their result.
Mr. Celibashi emphasized that "violations in elections are handled by a series of institutions, and can be avoided if they act simultaneously" to prevent, investigate or punish the perpetrators, but these concerns, according to him, "need a technical approach and not political rhetoric " .
From the recent elections in Albania, the OSCE/ODIHR Mission found that the local elections of 14 May were generally well-administered, competitive and peaceful", but they were accompanied by problems such as the misuse of state resources by the central and local governments, pressure on public sector employees and voters, as well as there were announcements of vote buying.
International observers pointed out that the media coverage of the campaign clearly helped the main parties to the detriment of the smaller parties, and that the continuous publication in the media of film materials prepared by the parties damaged the objective and comprehensive coverage of the election campaign./ VOA
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