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6 days
away from the elections
22.06.2009
The Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC),
on the eve of the June 28, 2009 elections, deems
it necessary to call upon the political parties
and the voters themselves to achieve together
the main goal – the conduct of free and fair
elections.
In that sense, political will and
the rigorous enforcement of laws are important
factors for these elections to be held with the
standards required for free and fair elections.
In this context, only 6 days away
from the elections, AHC deems it necessaro to
reiterate once again the appeal for the conduct
of a calm campaign, avoiding hate speech, which
would have a positive impact on the atmosphere
of election day. It is time to show greater care
and allow in no way excesses such as those that
led to the loss of life of the Democratic Party
militant in Qerret of Kavajë, or such as those
that led to breaking into voting centers,
pressures on candidates for MPs, etc. Voters
are clear today that meeting the standards is
our leading goal.
AHC expresses its concern that
many VCCs are yet to be appointed. This has
happened because the relevant political parties
have not presented their proposals to the CEAZs.
As a result, article 36 of the Electoral Code,
which requires the appointment of all VCCs no
later than June 8, 2009, has been violated. In
the opinion of AHC, this casts doubts on the
perspective of quality training for VCC members.
Another concern is that of some
changes, unifications, or divisions, not based
on criteria and beyond legal deadlines, of some
voting centers. Such actions may cause
confusion, wandering, and dissatisfaction among
voters. AHC suggests to the CEC, in the interest
of the conduct of an orderly electoral process,
to intervene and prevent harmful consequences,
although the law has tasked local government
units with this duty.
Besides, by June 24, 2009,
pursuant to article 95 of the Electoral Code,
political parties should present to the CEAZs
their proposals for members of vote counting
groups. Any delay would question not only the
establishment of vote counting groups two days
before election day, but also their training.
CEAZs, VCCs, and Vote Counting
Groups play an important role on different
aspects of electoral administration. This is why
AHC suggests to the relevant political parties
that, except for in rare and indispensable
cases, they not request the replacement members
they have proposed themselves.
The day before election day and
election day until the voting is closed,
according to article 77 of the Electoral Code,
is the period of electoral silence. AHC suggests
that all electoral subjects and the media
observe this provision.
Considering the negative
experience of previous elections, AHC deems it
necessary to emphasize that political parties,
candidates for MPs, or other persons should not
interfere with the activity of vote counting
groups. Otherwise, that could lead to conflicts,
procrastination, and interruptions to the
detriment of the electoral process.
On this occasion, AHC calls on
voters who have applied for ID cards but have
not collected them, to go as soon as possible to
the relevant centers and pick them up. That
would enable them to exercise their right to
vote. Furthermore, AHC reminds all citizens
whose names are not on the final voter lists to
go to the court as soon as possible.
In closing, AHC calls on voters
for the need for as broad a participation in the
June 28, 2009 elections as possible.
These are very important
elections; they are a test of maturity and
awareness for a better future and for a more
consolidated democracy.
The fulfillment of standards in
the June 28 elections conditions the country’s
faster integration into the EU.
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