Tirana Times
TIRANA, May 10 – The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights considered the May 8 local elections as competitive and transparent but held in a polarized environment.
They made known their preliminary report on Tuesday and have decided to stay at least two more weeks to see the end of the counting process.
Some 355 observers were deployed in the country.
Observers said that the main political parties failed to respect the election process, which had a negative impact on the administration of the process. “Some aspects have set a basis for progress in the future. But unfortunately, the two biggest political parties [the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition Socialist Party] once again abused with their role of administering the elections and continued their political battle,” the head of the observers mission Jonathan Stonestreet told a conference. Observers from the Congress of the Council of Europe welcomed the peaceful elections process but expressed concern about the extreme political polarization
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) stopped short of using that phrase but said voting went relatively well, despite problems during the buildup to the elections and vote counting afterwards.
Stonestreet declined to answer if they considered the voting free, fair and in line with international standards insisting everything should be understood from the whole preliminary report they have prepared.
“The May 8th local government elections … were competitive and transparent, but took place in an environment of high polarization of mistrust between parties in government and opposition,” the head of the observation team Jonathan Stonestreet told reporters.
“On Election Day, voting proceeded relatively well, albeit with procedural difficulties, but counting was delayed in many areas,” he added.
Stonestreet said bitter rivalry between the supporters of both parties disrupted preparations for the poll.
“As in previous elections, the two largest political parties did not discharge their electoral duties in a responsible manner, negatively affecting the administration of the entire process,” he said.
The observers noted that, as in previous elections, the two largest political parties did not carry out their electoral duties in a responsible manner. This negatively affected the administration of the entire process.
“Unfortunately the two largest political parties again abused their role in the administration of the elections to continue their political battle. All parties should work together after the elections to further strengthen the electoral process,” said Stonestreet.
The report said that the Central Election Commission worked transparently, but decisions on contested issues were taken along partisan lines, and not collegially. The largest parties often did not nominate election commissioners in a timely manner and contributed to undermining confidence in the process by questioning the integrity of the election administration.
The campaign was active and all contenders were generally able to campaign throughout the country. Despite repeated calls for calm, the campaign was marred by violence in many areas. There appeared to have been significantly fewer cases of misuse of administrative resources, although there were cases of pressure on public employees.
The authorities made considerable efforts to improve the voter lists. The media offered a plurality of views, enabling voters to make an informed choice. But with most channels aligned with one of the two largest parties, there is a lack of truly independent broadcast media.
On Election Day, voting proceeded relatively well, albeit with procedural difficulties. Thus far, the counting has been overall transparent, but has been delayed in many areas.
EU officials had said Sunday’s poll had to be “free and fair” if Albania, a NATO member, wanted to be considered for candidate status by the end of the year.
