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Press Report
February 26, 2004
Albanian Helsinki Committee hails and appreciates the initiative of the President of the Republic for the rapid commencement of the work related to the necessary amendments in the Electoral Code and the improvement of the electoral infrastructure.
OSCE Ambassador Mr. Lipponen, in the press conference of the date 14 February 2004, stated that after some days the final report of OSCE/ODIHR related to the elections of the local power bodies held in October 12, of the previous year in which the respective recommendations will be submitted, will be made
public.
AHC is a non-governmental organization that has monitored all the parliamentary and local elections held so far in our country.
AHC during the electoral process and in conclusion of the election of October, 12 2003 , has published reports where different aspects of this process have been tackled. In these reports there were also submitted suggestions about the need of some changes in the Electoral Code.
AHC, although aware that in the drafting and bettering of the electoral legislation the political will is of special significance, considers that this process can not be a monopoly of the political parties, be they position and opposition parties.
AHC, also previously has suggested that in the drafting of such significant projects as is the Electoral Code, it would be helpful to involve a wide range of experienced specialists in this field. This is also a concrete and effective assistance for the bi-partisan commission itself , that was created to
this end, and for the Parliament as well. This way the adoption of some articles in contradiction with the Constitution and of some other provisions of this Code in power, the definition of which is not complete and accurate would be avoided.
AHC shares the opinion that a project with the changes of the Electoral Code need be drafted in advance by a non-partisan, specialist group, and immediately following this setting in motion the parliamentary mechanism, the relevant commission or commissions, and in conclusion its adoption in a plenary session.
AHC also considers that the drafting of the voters lists based on complete and accurate data of the official documents as prescribed by law , asks for immediate action to be taken. This process is both difficult, and delicate and seeks the serious commitment of the state bodies and transparence as well. On the
contrary, delays or negligence of this problem do not exclude the possibility that in the coming elections the contesting and dissatisfaction will be present, a thing influencing in the aggravation of the political climate and would infringe the image of our country.
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