OSCE releases final report on Albania's local elections

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) released it's final report on Tuesday on Albania's local elections in June, noting that politicized state institutions undermined the effective administration of the electoral process.

The report, conducted by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), did however find that fundamental freedoms of expression and assembly were generally respected.

Yet, there were many cases of group voting as well as some important procedural irregularities, it noted.

As for the preparations of the electoral process, the report pointed out the downfalls to be politicization of the Central Election Commission (CEC) and a lack of political will to effectively implement the legal framework by the main political parties.

Despite some shortcomings, the legal framework could have provided the basis for democratic elections; however, the main parties misused their extensive powers and responsibilities within the election administration, the report said.

The rest of the report focused on the irregularities and failure of the election administration at all levels to implement the legal obligations, or the use of state resources for campaign purposes.

The report cited violation of the OSCE Copenhagen Document on the right to vote "free of fear of retribution", saying that OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission had received widespread allegations of pressure by incumbents from the ruling coalition.

This pressure was put on public sector employees, primarily teachers, health care workers, and municipal employees including requirements to attend campaign events and to secure votes as well as threats of dismissal from employment.

The OSCE/ODIHR final report on local elections in Albania recommended a review of the legal framework and enhancing the independence and professional capacity of the election administration in future electoral processes. Endit