Tensioning the situation is not to benefit of the required standards

Tirana June 20, 2005

Albanian Helsinki Committee hailed the commitments of the political forces to respect the Code of the Electoral Conduct accepted by all the parties throughout the process of the elections of July 3 of this year.

AHC thinks that this initiative is necessary, especially in the conditions, when the extreme political polarization, has time and again been accompanied by negative phenomenon that besides other things, has distorted to some extent the image of Albania.

This agreement is also necessary due to the fact that these elections will demonstrate the level of our willingness to go forward with speedy steps towards the integration into the Euro-Atlantic structures.

AHC, confirmed with great pleasure that at the beginning, the electoral campaign was relatively balanced, because the electoral subjects aimed mainly at disclosing their alternatives to the electors. The same is true about the TV debate shows arranged with the candidates from the position and opposition parties.

But AHC regretfully highlights that while approaching the electoral date, some electoral subjects disregarded the content of the article 134 of the Electoral Code, that on one hand guarantees the right to hold electoral propaganda, and on the other hand, it requires that it must be lawful, not mentioning then the standards of the electoral ethics, that are obviously comprising elements of the democratic culture.

To AHC it is clear that the electoral campaign based on its nature and goals is a race that cannot go smoothly.

Nevertheless, we share the opinion that the language of hatred, the personal insults that infringe the human dignity as well as the reciprocal charges, not yet proved legally; infringe the spirit of the law and of the electoral code of conduct.

It is precisely this the reason why AHC in the pre-election period of the elections of July 3, appeals especially to two the big parties that they should not contribute to the aggravation of the political atmosphere in the country with their attitudes and statements, because this doesn’t benefit the free, fair and uncontested elections.

The electors are all eyes and ears whereas the political parties are in a try-out period.