TIRANA, June 5 – International observers of the ODIHR/OSCE mission issued their first preliminary report for the upcoming June 21 elections, praising the largely positive nature of the electoral campaign so far.
However, the observer mission also criticized the harsh language used by some in the main political coalitions competing in the upcoming local administrative election.
The mission also criticized the use of the public funding in the campaign. The report said they had taken note of the charges of vote buying made by different groupings.
The report also said that the Electoral Code had a series of shortcomings on local elections and hailed the representation of the women in the running.
It also noted concern on the impartiality of the Central Election Commission, though it also stressed the body was transparent in its activity.
Two dozen observers were also sent from the United States to be part of the team observers.
U.S. Ambassador Donald Lu has openly called on the Albanians not to sell their votes and also take part in the voting process.
The embassy is promoting holding debates among candidates in some main cities and has praised the atmosphere of the elections in Shkodra, where two female candidates are competing.
The ambassador also called on the Albanians not to vote for those candidates who they know have a criminal past.
The CEC excluded a candidate in Kelcyra for such a reason, a move that won praise by the international community.
Both U.S. and European Union officials have said they will make public the names of those candidates with a criminal past.
