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Albanian Helsinki Committee, Society
for Democratic Culture, Albanian Coaliation Against
Corruption, Albanian Human Rights Group, MJAFT Movement,
Citizens’ Advocacy Office, KRIIK Albania, Albanian Human
Rights Center, Albanian Institute for Election System
Development
Tirana, 30 January 2007
Statement for the Press
Parties and their candidates should implement the
Electoral Code and the Code of Conduct
Monitoring organizations for the
observation of the Code of Conduct for the local
government bodies elections of February 18, 2007,
initiated by the President of the Republic and accepted
by political parties participating in these elections,
have monitored respect for some aspects of the Code of
Conduct and the Electoral Code from the start of the
electoral campaign.
They find that from the start of the
campaign, the harsh language and violation of the
candidates’ private life were noticeable. Following
that, there is a decrease in hate speech in general.
There are positive efforts by the media
not only to report campaigns and candidates’ programs,
but also to inform the public.
Organizations signatory to this statement
applaud the joint initiative of the spokespeople of some
political parties in the electoral campaign and support
any initiative that would be useful to the conduct of a
lawful and well-mannered campaign.
In spite of positive developments, we
note that:
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There is no transparency on funding
and sponsorships for candidates. In fact, political
parties are yet to make public financial expenses
for the July 3, 2005 elections.
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We notice the use of public funds of
state institutions. In some districts, the state and
local administration is forced to be involved in the
campaign.
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Public administration officials, in
contravention of their status and the law,
participate in campaigns of different candidates.
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Candidates for mayors in the
districts of Korēė, Lezhė, Shkodėr, etc., cut
inauguration ribbons of government investments,
built through state budget funds and citizens’
taxes.
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In some cities, such as Fier, Durrės,
Vlorė, there have been unnecessary incidents between
party supporters regarding the makeup of election
commissions.
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In the cities of Gjirokastėr, Tiranė,
Elbasan, and Lushnje, there have been disagreements
regarding the posting of candidates’ posters.
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There are candidates who hold senior
official positions who have not submitted their
resignation – a welcomed moral act. They use the
authority, office, and state means for the election
campaign.
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TV spots feature a misuse of state
institutions for certain candidates’ electoral
purposes.
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Lists of candidates for municipal
council members include names of persons under
investigation and who have been dismissed for legal
violations. Such actions are morally unacceptable,
although we respect the principle of the presumption
of innocence.
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During their campaigns, some
candidates accuse political opponents by violating
the principle of the presumption of innocence.
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Political parties are not doing as
much as they should to sensitize citizens regarding
voter lists, the location of voter list postings,
the voter number, the use of certificates, and the
location of voting centers.
Based on the requirements of the
Electoral Code, the Code of Conduct, and the requirement
to realize free, fair, and democratic elections, our
monitoring organizations call upon political parties and
their candidates:
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Political parties should respect the
Electoral Code and the Code of Conduct by making
public appeals to candidates and party structures to
distance themselves from abusive actions.
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The government and the opposition
should urge candidates to separate themselves
clearly from conflict of interest situations.
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The media should enhance its
neutrality and take a stance toward negative actions
emerging in candidates’ campaigns.
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State institutions should not allow
being misused in the campaign.
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Political parties and their
candidates should not make unrealistic and
unattainable promises, but should rather focus on
concrete projects for the developmnet of local
government units where they run.
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Political parties should respect
sites assigned by local government bodies for
posting the posters of electoral subjects.
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Political parties should engage in
informing their supporters about the need to review
voter lists, the location of their posting, to
exercise the right to review and correct those
lists.
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Political parties should engage, in a
timely and serious manner, to draft the list of
voting center commission members and vote counting
group members.
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The Central Election Commission
should take measures to train voting center
commission members and vote counting commission
members.
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