Albania amends electoral code

TIRANA, July 19 – The Albanian Parliament has passed constitutional amendments to improve the electoral management following opposition claims that previous polls have been rigged by the government.
The changes were approved by parliament 127-2 and 3 abstained Thursday following a deal between the governing Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha and the main opposition Socialist Party of Edi Rama on a new way of electing the head of the central election committee, digital use to check identity cards and counting in two big cities, and other details for vote transparency.
These two pilot projects for Tirana (digital checks) and Fier (electronic count) follow requests from the opposition Socialists who wanted to apply that nationwide. But that demand was turned down from the OSCE-ODIHR saying that could jeopardize the whole election system due to the lack of the proper infrastructure and expertize.
Small opposition parties were not satisfied saying the system, which they want to change from the regional into a national proportional one, makes it hard for them to win seats in parliament.
Berisha responded immediately hinting that the change was not made not because of him. He also assured the smaller allies of a closer cooperation in the next term, which he said they would win in 2013.
But the importance of the election reform was as much linked with holding free and fair elections as with the fact that it was a key request from Brussels.
Tirana has applied for the European Union candidate status and the electoral reform was a key test.
Stefan Fuele, European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy, welcomed the adoption of the amendments to the electoral code as “a key factor for moving ahead on the EU integration path” and commended both political groupings “for the good work completed and for the constructive cooperation in this area. ”
But Fuele also added that the “electoral reform is not only one of the key priorities of the Opinion, it is also essential in view of the 2013 parliamentary elections.”
He urged further “constructive political dialogue and cooperation to complete on-going work on the other key priorities of the Opinion and to achieve a critical mass of results by September.”
The immunities system is the other “important step to the right direction.”
Ettore Sequi of the EU’s Delegation office in Tirana also hailed it as “a significant step forward towards addressing the Key Priorities of the 2010 Opinion.”
“Albania faces a number of other serious and immediate reform challenges. Šthe reform of the Parliament’s rules of procedure and a revision of the immunity system in line with European standards would be urgent and important steps in the right direction, in the vital interest of the European future of Albania,” added Sequi.
OSCE’s Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth highlighted the need for sustained political will in ensuring full implementation of the new legislation.
“This reform is meant to contribute to ensuring that next year’s elections are held in full compliance with international standards. Even with the improved Electoral Code, political will is an indispensable element of implementing the Electoral Code, developing trust at all levels – between voters, commissioners, and politicians – and fostering an atmosphere of fairness and playing by the rules,” Wollfarth said.
Wollfarth also pointed out the need for the Assembly to address the equally important issue of immunities.
The United States embassy also welcomed the passage of the electoral code legislation and commended the spirit of compromise demonstrated by all parties in order to address the OSCE and ODIHR recommendations.
“Parliament should now turn its immediate attentions to completing parliamentary reform and to working to lift immunities, which all responsible sides agree is a major impediment to combating corruption in Albania. We urge the parties to work in earnest to find the common ground we know exists and to vote for the legislation on August 6,” its statement wrote.
The parliament seems to be in full action for the next two weeks and will likely delay its end of the session until they vote for the immunities.
It is not sure if the opposition Socialists will be part of the vote, as they have asked to postpone that for September.