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The Albanian
Helsinki Committee recommends that measures be taken for
the normal conduct of the electoral process for the 2007
local elections
Measures should be taken to ensure
uninterrupted supply of electricity
The Albanian Helsinki Committee sent a
letter to Mr. Çlirim Gjata, Chairman of the Central
Election Commission, on January 16, 2007 with regard to
CEC’s measures to equip election commissions with two
candles. AHC has expressed its concern that two or three
days before the elections, on election day, and during
the time when votes are counted and election results are
issued at the LGEC level, electricity should not be
missing.
Regarding the above, AHC has suggested
that competent authorities take measures to guarantee
the normal conduct of the electoral process. In this
context, the provision of two candles would be the least
appropriate and effective measure. Besides, the
television broadcast of this measure taken by the CEC
could have a negative impact on voters’ psychology.
Therefore, AHC suggested that in the absence of
generators, neon emergency lights or other means
offering greater and more stable lighting be ensured.
The use of candles, including as a result of
inattention, could be accompanied by harmful
consequences.
AHC raised the same concern in a letter
of January 19, 2007. Aiming at the normal conduct of the
electoral process before election day, on election day,
and during the vote count, AHC sent a letter to Mr. Genc
Ruli, Minister of Economy, Mr. Andi Beli, Director of
KESH (Energy Corporation), and copied Prof.Dr. Sali
Berisha, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the
Republic of Albania, regarding measures to provide
unitenrrupted energy supply. In the letter, AHC
emphasized that, “due to difficulties to provide
uninterrupted electricity supply, AHC suggests that
measures be taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity
2-3 days before the elections, on election day, and 2-3
days after the election day, particularly in those areas
or units where electoral processes are conducted and
where votes will be counted.
AHC also suggested that all measures
taken to that effect be made public. This would not only
speak to government transparency, but also would have a
positive psychological impact on people.
Voters’ right to complain about voter
lists should be guaranteed in practice
On January 16, 2007, the Albanian
Helsinki Committee sent a letter to Mr. Çlirim Gjata,
Chairman of the Central Election Commission and Prof.Dr.
Sali Berisha, Prime Minister of Albania regarding the
realization in practice of voters’ complaints if their
names are not on the voter lists or are written with
errors.
In the letter, AHC raised its concern
that in amendments made to the Electoral Code through
law no. 9676, dated 13.01.2007, there is no mention of
the role of courts in cases when a citizen does not find
his/name on the voter list. In that respect, AHC
suggested that, considering that according to article
40, item 7 “Transitory provisions”, of law no. 9676,
dated 13.01.2007, the citizen, within 48 hours from
notification about the decision of the mayor, commune or
municipal unit chair, or from the expiry of the deadline
for obtaining a decision, may turn to the court of the
judicial district. AHC also suggested that in
cooperation with the Supreme Court, instructions should
be issued to judicial district courts regarding
documents a citizen whose name does not appear on the
voter lists, in order to verify his/her right to vote.
AHC has drawn attention to the fact that
article 60 of the Electoral Code in force provides for
the voter’s complaint in the court of the respective
judicial district, wheras article 40 of the law no.
9676, dated 13.01.2007, does not make mention the
voter’s complaint after the final voter lists have been
announced.
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