Joint pre-election statement by parliamentary observer leaders - Albania

TIRANA, 21 June 2013 (shqip) – The Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE election observer mission, and the Heads of the Parliamentary delegations of the OSCE and the Council of Europe observing the 23 June parliamentary elections in Albania, call on all political leaders to use the remaining days to engage in a constructive process to ensure that the elections can proceed unhindered.

"We urge all members of the Central Election Commission to take up their duties without delay, and to assume their responsibility for a smooth election process. The administrative institutions of elections must be able to function separately from the political campaign, ensuring that the democratic will of voters is respected by all political forces and implemented by the authorities.

"Legal controversies should not block the critical work of democratic institutions."

Roberto Battelli, Special Co-ordinator of the short-term OSCE observer mission
João Soares, Head of the OSCE PA delegation
Luca Volontè, Head of the PACE delegation

Media contacts:

Andreas Baker, OSCE PA (Tirana) +355697366675
Neil Simon, OSCE PA (Copenhagen), +45 60 10 83 80

This is a press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The views expressed in this press release do not necessarily reflect those of the OSCE Chairmanship, nor of all OSCE participating States.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 323 parliamentarians from 57 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international cooperation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.