OSCE/ODIHR presents recommendations from final report on 2015 local elections in Albania

Elections experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) met with electoral stakeholders in Tirana from 14 to 16 October 2015 to present recommendations from the final report on the 21 June 2015 local elections in Albania.

The report’s findings and recommendations were presented to officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Election Commission, as well as to representatives of political parties, civil society, media and the international community.

"We welcome the public commitment of the authorities and parliamentary parties to follow up on our electoral recommendations in a timely and comprehensive manner," said Ambassador Audrey Glover, who headed the ODIHR election observation mission in June. "It is important that any process be inclusive and involves meaningful consultation with smaller political groups, civil society and politically under-represented groups, including women and Roma."

The discussions focused on the recommendations by the mission to enhance the independence and professionalism of election commissions, to review electoral legislation so as to eliminate gaps and ambiguities, to strengthen the electoral dispute resolution system, to review campaign finance rules, and to continue efforts to improve the voter registration system.

"We are ready to support the authorities in implementing the recommendations offered in our report," said Richard Lappin, ODIHR Senior Election Adviser.  "This includes the review of amendments to electoral legislation, and advice on good practices and matters of technical implementation."

All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to follow up on the assessments and recommendations by ODIHR election observation missions.