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Elections: Delays That Lead to
Consequences
Tirana, April 5,
2006
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Considering that
we have become acquainted with the OSCE/ODIHR Report and Recommendations on
teh July 3, 2005 elections, and the fact that the Special Parliamentary
Commission on electoral reform has not undertaken any concrete step,
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Considering that
the mandate of three CEC members expired on March 31, 2006, and that elections
for local government bodies will be held in December this year or in January
2007,
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Considering that
it is not advisable to enact amendments to election legislation during the
six-month period before the elections, and also that important amendments need
to be made to the Electoral Code in force,
The Albanian Helsinki
Committee deems it necessary to address once again the Assembly of Albania and
all parliamentary parties the appeal: With dialogue and understanding, take
measures to urgently overcome the parliamentary impasse that has considerably
tarnished the reputation of the highest lawmaking body. Otherwise, hasty
amendments to the Electoral Code may be accompanied by serious consequences in
the preparation of various aspects of the electoral process and in achieving the
required standards.
The AHC is of the
opinion that no political party, and primarily the two largest government and
opposition parties, in spite of reciprocal accusations, can justify this
continuing disturbing situation.
The AHC considers it
appropriate to highlight the fact that the President of the Republic and
international organizations have sent significant signals of such concerns,
while the electorate follows with attention the attitude of its representatives.
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