OSCE Presence in Albania brings international community together to discuss elections

TIRANA, 5 February 2013 – Representatives of the international community in Tirana met today under the auspices of the OSCE Presence in Albania to exchange information and co-ordinate positions in view of the forthcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for 23 June.

The Chair and Deputy Chair of the Central Election Commission were invited to participate in the meeting of the International Elections Working Group, and to provide an update on the recent activities of the election-administration body. Participants expressed continued support to the CEC for impartial implementation of the electoral framework.

The Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth, said: “It is critically important to maintain a collaborative atmosphere within the Central Election Commission, with the active and constructive participation of all members.”

“The election administration’s task is to implement the relevant legislation and procedures in a timely, impartial manner, to ensure that voters have the chance to freely and fairly express their will on election day. Actions and statements that could lead to the politicization of the work of the election administration are counter-productive, and should be avoided. All sides must demonstrate the necessary political will for these upcoming elections.”

The International Elections Working Group is a forum of the diplomatic representatives of the OSCE participating States and other international organizations in Albania that meets on a periodic basis ahead of elections to exchange information and co-ordinate positions. One of the main purposes of the Working Group is to co-ordinate election-related projects within the international community to avoid duplication and maximize their efficiency.