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Delays are
Disturbing
19.01.2007
The Albanian Helsinki Committee joins in
on the concern of the Central Election Commission that,
as a result of failure by respective political parties
to submit proposals for Local Government Election
Commission members, these commissions will end up being
set up late, thus violating article 2 of the amended
article 181/1 of the Electoral Code that says: "The CEC
approves the makeup of the LGECs within 7 days from the
date this law goes into effect."
Delays in setting up LGECs would also
violate item 3 of the above article, which requires the
submission to LGECs of documentation on candidates for
mayors or commune chairpersons, or for members of
municipal or commune councils, no later than January 23,
2007, and the approval of such documentation no later
than January 25, 2007.
AHC also notes that, although the
electoral campaign has in fact started, it officially
begins upon approval of candidates' documentation by
LGECS.
AHC expresses its concern that haste on
the part of the CEC to establish LGECs, caused by delays
of political parties to submit proposals, could have a
negative impact on the verification of criteria and
legal requirements established by the law on LGEC
members.
AHC also is of the opinion that the
training of 3692 members of the CEC and 284 secretaries
of the CEC is going to be difficult. AHC is of the
opinion that it would be a mistake to have them begin
work without first receiving appropriate training.
AHC also notes that, according to item 3
of article 40 (transitory provisions) of the Electoral
Code, preliminary voter lists should be announced no
later than January 21, 2007. If there are delays in
establishing LGECs, no other body could address voter
requests about the absence of their names on these
lists. This would seriously harm the right of voters to
complain within the legally established deadlines.
In the opinion of the Albanian Helsinki
Committee, the CEC's normal activity is hampered by the
failure of political parties to fulfill their legal
obligations. That is the reason why AHC calls upon
political parties to carry out their legal obligations.
Delays harm the normal progress of various aspects of
the legal process and, as a result, of the required
standards.
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