"Depoliticization of the electoral administration" - Gonzato and Celibashi provide recommendations for reform
“The parties must create a good product.” This was stated by the European Union Ambassador to Tirana, Silvio Gonzato, as he spoke about the importance of electoral reform. Gonzato described this as a key aspect in Albania's path to integration.
"Electoral reform represents a good step towards electoral integrity. We urge the parties for comprehensive reform, a good product is needed. The CEC has taken important steps in the post-election analysis and has presented several proposals. Depoliticization is essential. Electoral reform is a significant part of the journey and commitment that Albania has in the first chapter of EU membership, the first to open and the last to close," said Gonzato.
The Chief State Election Commissioner, Ilirian Celibashi, in his speech raised concerns about the untrained election administration, as well as the high political representation. He considered cooperation with the EU in this regard important.
"The CEC in cooperation with the EU and the EC should work on this issue, which is the training of the electoral administration. We have suffered for years that the electoral administration in the country, after every effort, has never met the expectations of voters to perform in a professional and transparent manner. Now, it seems that the political and social moment of Albania on the verge of joining the EU has also brought the opportunity to work together on this project on an important issue within the electoral process. History, not only for the last elections, has shown that the electoral administration does not provide all the guarantees it should provide regarding the transparent administration of the electoral process. The dominance of political parties alone in the administration of elections has created its own handicap regarding professional standards. It is of paramount importance that this issue be among the first to be addressed.
I am not saying that political parties should be completely stripped of their interest and opportunity to be part of the administration, but not as if the process is 100% administered by them. When we have agreed to have a permanent body ready, it is necessary to work on the proper training of this body or whoever is involved.
"We aim with the support of the EU to build this training center for the electoral administration, where we aim for sustainability and stability. We are aware that the process is difficult and will take its time. We will also seek the support of political parties. Fortunately, it is known that they have also understood that the way the administration is organized and what it provides needs to be changed and they support at least what we have observed, the efforts of the CEC and partners," said Celibashi.
The discussion took place at the introductory event of the new Council of Europe project "Support to the Electoral Process Cycle in Albania".
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