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Violations of the
Code of Conduct in election campaigns – a concern for
media representatives
27.01.2007
The start of the electoral campaign by
political groups and the violation of the Code of
Conduct were the topic of debate in a Vizion+ television
program on January 22, 2007. Ms. Vasilika Hysi,
Executive Director of the AHC, was invited to the
program to express the organization’s stance and role in
monitoring elections.
AHC reacted through a public statement to
the language used by the Democratic Party during the
electoral campaign opening ceremony, noting it ran
counter to the Code of Conduct of political parties
during election campaigns.
During her interview with the media,
following the meeting with the President of the
Republic, Ms. Vasilika Hysi said AHC is concerned about
the not-so-good start of the electoral campaign although
there had been an agreement between the political forces
that political parties and their candidates would not
publish or launch slandering or irritating accusations
against parties, candidates, or other persons. The
mission of the civil society in general and the Albanian
Helsinki Committee in particular aims sensitizing the
political class to better respect for voter rights.
Nevertheless, the monitoring of the electoral campaign
will make it possible to raise the voice toward
violations of the Code of Conduct in order for
candidates and their political forces to transparently
present to voters governance alternatives in a
well-mannered fashion.
She also said that this is not the first
time political forces use hate speech. For that very
reason, AHC reacted three times within one week to such
a phenomenon. However, political parties in Albania do
not listen to or appreciate the voice of the civil
society as much as they should. Hate speech is one of
the election standards. In this context, it is important
for the civil society to contribute and increase the
pressure for respect of the Code of Conduct by the
political parties.
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