The United Opposition has released a statement on their position on electoral reform in Albania, responding positively to the invitation of international partners to help strengthen democracy and the legal framework within the country.
Noting that electoral reform is one of the main conditions for progress in the opening of accession talks for EU membership, the United Opposition, consisting of the PD, LSI, PR, LZHK, PDIU, PA and others, has reiterated its commitment.
Reiterating a need for “genuine electoral reform” they stipulate that it must be carried by institutions and electoral subjects that are able to guarantee free and fair elections, insisting on the removal of those implicated in the criminal investigations relating to vote-buying and election rigging. Citing “conflict of interest,” they say that these individuals’ inclusion in reform processes goes against the objective of free and fair elections.
All discussion on electoral reform must be transparent and public, including representatives from civil society. Special attention must be given to the law on party financing and funding of election campaigns. Constitutional reform that strengthens accountability and checks and balances on power must also be considered.
Concerns raised regarding the current situation include the legitimacy of the Parliamentary Commission on Electoral Reform due to it “being a product” of the 2017 elections which they claim were “dictated by the organised crime and vote buying with criminal money”.
The United Opposition state that a commission led by and including individuals implicated in electoral crimes is not legitimate and cannot carry out necessary electoral reform. The parties propose that the process is overseen by representatives including the OSCE/ODIHR, US and EU as well as one Socialist Party representative and one from the United Opposition.
They reiterated the position that electoral reforms can only have a meaning when the perpetrators of previous electoral crimes have been investigated professionally and independently.
Instances of vote-buying, pressure on voters by the public administration, abuse with state human and financial resources, violation of the secrecy and freedom of voting, and the manipulation and falsification of results must be tackled to reflect “sincere political will” to reform.
In terms of links between government and crime, the United Opposition insists on a concrete and enforceable mechanism to realize the full separation of politics from crime.
“State capture by crime through the inclusion of individuals with criminal records or with links with organized crime, in Parliament, Government, local government, high functions in the public administration and law enforcement agencies, constitutes a serious threat against the integrity and functioning of democracy and democratic institutions as well as against national security.”
At the present moment, the United Opposition claims that the current government offers no separation of party from state or politics from crime. They also highlight the OSCE/ODIHR findings that the current Central Electoral Commission is “under the full political tutelage of the governing party” and doesn’t offer any guarantee of impartiality and political independence. Also observed is the fact that law enforcement institutions and authorities fail to exercise properly due to political interference and pressure by the Socialist Party and Government.
The issue of Albania’s non-functional and politically pressured courts, as underlined by the OSCE/ODIHR report means that they are “incapable of implementing the guarantees that the Constitution and law offers in case of violations by the Government or election administration”.
The summary, which was sent to all foreign embassies and diplomatic missions concludes that citizens must be offered the right to make decisions through referendums and the legislation relating to it must be improved.
