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Without
full electoral reforms, international standards
cannot be achieved
March 30, 2007
The negative experience of the
past elections, and particularly of the February
2007 elections, proved that procrastination and
marked delays in improving electoral legislation
have been accompanied by harmful consequences.
The lack of political will, which is an
expression of narrow party interest and of lack
of trust between parties, has seriously harmed
the electoral process and the country’s image
toward European integration.
This is precisely the reason why
AHC considers it appropriate to call upon all
political parties and primarily the two largest
government and opposition parties to undertake,
with urgency, the necessary steps to complete
electoral reform.
AHC is of the opinion that it
would be a mistake and unjustifiable to wait for
the announcement of the final February 18, 2007,
election results and the OSCE/ODIHR report on
those elections and then to begin work on
electoral reform.
AHC suggests that initially
representatives of political parties and
parliamentary structures discuss and resolve
important disputable issues that might
necessitate constitutional amendments.
AHC, considering previous
experience with its positive and negative
aspects, suggests that the practice of compiling
draft changes and additions in the Electoral
Code include the entire scope of problems it
entails: parliamentary elections, local
government elections, as well as the chapter on
referenda.
AHC is also of the opinion that
faster and more qualitative work is needed. In
this context, the Parliament could engage a
group of domestic specialists with experience in
this field, away from party affiliations and
influence, capable of compiling a draft that
could contain accurate and clear formulations
that would be in accordance with our
Constitution and international documents.
AHC thinks that carrying out this
task with success requires better knowledge and
more accurate assessment of frequent
recommendations by OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice
Commission, taking into consideration the
country’s concrete conditions and possibilities.
AHC expresses its conviction that
not only non-profit organizations, but also
other society groups are interested in and
willing to make their modest contributions to
further improving electoral legislation.
AHC suggests that it is moved
onto concrete action and that words and
statements are left aside so that we are not
late tomorrow.
Good electoral reform demands
sufficient time and expertise.
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