To Albanian Voters!
Exercise Your right of voting!
Appeal of the Albanian Helsinki Committee

On October 12. 2003 the local government elections will be held nationwide. This is a significant event for the entire Albanian society aiming to be integrated in the European family.
Albanian Helsinki Committee, the first non-governmental and non-partisan organization, member of the International Helsinki Federation, observer in the previous elections as well, appeals to all the voters, regardless of their political convictions, preference or party-affiliation, to exercise their right of voting in the elections of October 12, 2003 thus demonstrating their own free will about the alternative they wish for.
AHC considers the participation of any voter in the elections as a significant emancipating element that reveals the maturity of the electors and their active participation in the course of upgrading democracy, enhancing their participation in governing the country. The entire Albanian society and the political parties, as conveyors of the special opinions within this society, are entirely interested in a wider participation in these elections.
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The democratic development of Albania is an on-going process. It is not only important but also complex as a process. The periodic parliamentary elections and the local power elections aim at further deepening this process for the integration of the country in the Euro-Atlantic bodies. The bodies that will emerge from the elections of October 12 of this year, in the new conditions of decentralization and local autonomy, will feel more responsibility versus their citizens.
On this occasion, AHC appeals not only to the electors, but to all political forces to contribute in holding free, fair, democratic and uncontestable elections.
Likewise, AHC appeals to LGC-s commissioners that while accomplishing their duty not only significant, but delicate, to consider law and nothing but the law, as the most supreme authority.
AHC conveys the belief that during this important electoral process , the political forces will keep away from close interests and political passions and will respect only the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and the law. The stable atmosphere will positively influence the free expression of the electors’ free will.

PRESS RELEASE

According to the information of the CEC, the training of the members of CVC-es is planned to take place on 8,9, and 10 Oct. 2003.

AHC does not interfere in questions of exclusive competence of the CEC, but we consider it necessary to focus on the following questions for the well-functioning of the electoral process:

1.  For the training of the members of CVC (considering their relatively great number) several days will be needed. In our opinion, it would be inappropriate for the last day of the training to be scheduled on 10-10-2003, i.e. two days before the day of the elections.

2. Difficulties and insufficiencies have also been noticed in the training of the members of LGEC-s, a fact stated by both the Election Observervation Mission and by Albanian Helsinki Committee Monitors. This has negatively affected the proper legal knowledge from the part of the members of the above-mentioned commissions.

3. AHC has stressed the fact of late and not so qualified training of the members of the electoral commissions as one of the important defects in the previous elections as well.

4. For the prevention of the verified defects and deficiencies AHC suggests to the CEC not only to pay special attention to the time and quality of the training of the members of CVC, but also to insure their full participation in these training sessions.

AHC considers the fact that CVC-s play a very significant role in the electoral process. They are the main tools in guaranteeing free and democratic elections in conformity with the new Electoral Code.

Tirana, 3 October 2003

AHC ADDRESSES CEC
ON SOME ISSUES ABOUT THE ELECTORAL CODE AND SOME ASPECTS
OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS

In the context of the monitoring project of the local government elections 2003, AHC has established sustained contacts with the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) and throughout this period has maintained positive communication with this body in relation to different aspects of the electoral process, which we are briefly presenting as follows:

AHC submitted the written application to CEC related to the accreditation of 106 CEC observers who following the accreditation from CEC started their monitoring work in Korçë, Elbasan, Vlorë, Fier, Kukës, Durrës, Gjirokastër, Shkodër and Tiranë. On the date 02.09.2003, AHC addressed CEC about the non-enforcement of the Electoral Code on the part of the political parties as regards the untimely start of the electoral campaign.

On the date 12.09.2003, AHC voiced its concern regarding the changes CEC has done to the instructions related to the documents to be submitted to the political subjects in cases of the incorrect voters registration (Instruction Nr. 5, dated 03.09.2003). AHC in its official note highlights that this change can lead to potential delays.

On the date 17.09.2003, through an official note addressed to CEC, AHC points out different irregularities as regards the bill-posting of the preliminary voters lists and appeals to the relevant bodies to take all the measures to well manage this process which comprises one of the most significant aspects of the electoral process.

On the date 18. 09.2003, AHC submits to CEC the constructive suggestions related to CEC Instruction Nr. 7 dated. 13.09.2003 and Instruction Nr 8 dated 15.09.2003. As regards Instruction nr. 7 dated 13.09.2003, mention is made of the Voting Centers' Commissions' secretaries and people who due to business reasons are provided arms. This instruction tackles the issue of the substitution of the vacancy in Voting Centers' Commission (VCC) in the election day. AHC has suggested to CEC about the aforemetioned cases to revise the above decisions because they are not in confomity with the law. Related to CEC Instruction Nr. 8 dated 15.09.2003 that deals with the administrative litigation procedures, AHC has suggested to CEC that what is explicitly stated in the law shall not be reiterated in the instruction.

Short information on AHC activities in the framework of October 2003 elections for local government organs

AHC would like to make known to all the visitors of its home page in internet that AHC, starting from August 2003 till 31 October 2003, is engaged in implementing the project: “Legal education and monitoring of the local government elections 2003” financed by the Public Affairs Section at the USA Embassy in Tirana, Albania. 

In the context of its mission as a watch dog, raising awareness and public education on human rights in Albania, AHC deems as its responsibility to actively take part in monitoring the respect of political rights of Albanian humble citizens, in this case exercising their right to vote, as well as in monitoring the preparatory electoral work and the elections for local government organs of October 2003. Based on the rich experience of the AHC during all these years of monitoring all the electoral processes after the ’90, this time AHC will contribute to the following:

-Increasing the awareness level of the public in general on their rights and duties during the electoral process through publications on the Electoral Code written in a simple language;
-Increasing the awareness level of the heads of police commissariats all over Albania regarding their rights and duties during the voting day as sanctioned in the Electoral Code;
-Better respect of political rights and especially the right to vote belonging to the humble citizens all over Albania;
-Positive developments of free, fair and democratic elections though AHC’s monitoring and educational mission during the elections for local government organs;
-Strengthening the rule of law;
-Strengthening the role of civil society actors in Albania;

AHC will involve 70 monitors who will act in different Albanian districts like in Kukës, Gjirokastër, Vlorë, Shkodër, Elbasan, Korçë, Fier, Durrës and Tirana in close cooperation with AHC’s correspondents in the cities. These observers will be trained on the Electoral Code, monitoring methodology during the electoral campaign and the voting process till the moment of final result promulgation as well as on ways of reporting to AHC.  Based on AHC’s monotors’ reports, AHC will hold a press conference with the participation of Albanian media representatives on the findings and conclusions regarding October 2003 Elections. In addition, AHC will release an official final report on local governemtn elections of October 2003.

In the framework of this very significant activity, AHC will coordinate its work with that of the native and foreign NPO, with international organism working in human rights area in Albania. Additionally, AHC will keep regular contacts with state structures which are directly responsible for good management of October 2003 elections.