Local elections, 30 June 2019

ODIHR Election Observation Mission press conference, Tirana, 1 July 2019, 3pm CET

Observation of local elections in Albania

Following an invitation from the authorities of Albania and based on the findings and conclusions of the ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission, undertaken from 19 to 21 March 2019, ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the 30 June local elections.

The ODIHR EOM and the OSCE Presence in Albania operate separately under their specific mandates.

Long-Term Observation

The ODIHR EOM, headed by Ambassador Audrey Glover, consists of 13 international experts based in Tirana. In addition, 18 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 1 June.

The mission will assess these elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will follow candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legislative framework, and the resolution of election disputes. As part of the observation, the EOM will conduct a comprehensive monitoring of the media.

Election Day

ODIHR has requested participating States to second 250 short-term observers immediately prior to the 30 June elections. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the elections, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

Previous Elections

ODIHR has observed 13 elections and referenda in Albania, most recently the 2017 parliamentary elections.