Albanian Helsinki Committee appeal addressed to all the political parties

03.05.2004

Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) repentantly evidences that the political parties have not taken concrete action yet to discuss about OSCE/ODIHR report and also the respective recommendations as regards the elections of the recent year.

As it is known, since the elections of October 2003 approximately 7 months have elapsed. There are more than 2 months that OSBE/ODIHR report has been made public. The coming parliamentary elections are ahead and despite some declarations that are partly mutual party accusations, there is no initiative to show that the political parties are seriously committed with the arrangements that would guarantee free, fair and uncontested elections.

The negative experience of the recent elections, without denying the achievements gave proof, that the delays in drafting and adopting the new Electoral Code as well as the lack of the political will were accompanied with harmful consequences in all the aspects of the electoral process. It would be inexcusable and unpardonable to reiterate the same thing when it is well accepted that we are in a try-out phase, that the coming elections will be a significant test towards integration to the big European family.

AHC also conveys the concern that there is an aggravated atmosphere in the country. Under these terms, at a time when the improvements in the electoral legislation seek common and serious efforts, understanding, tolerance and respect for the reverse thoughts, the political dialogue is much more difficult

AHC hails the President’s initiative as well as any initiative that would contribute to easing the political climate and to holding free and democratic elections.

AHC as an independent and experienced organization in the field of monitoring elections, like in the past, is willing to share the modest contribution in further improving the electoral legislation.

AHC particularly assesses not only OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, but also the generalizing and qualitative ODIHR comments as well as those of the Venice Commission related to some provisions of the Electoral Code.

AHC is also convinced that the experience and the contribution of our specialists and experts in this field would also be helpful.

On this occasion, AHC appeals once again to the Government to increase its own commitment to achieve the legal liabilities related to the normal preparation and to holding normal elections especially towards the accuracy and filling in the civil status registers based on which the voters’ lists will be drafted.