Tirana, 01.04.2009

The Central Election Commission expresses its greatest concern regarding the execution of the legal framework by some political forces, with reference to one of the important phases of election process, that of CEAZ establishment.

These political subjects have constantly violated the deadlines defined in the Electoral Code. In the first phase regarding the submission of candidacies for CEAZ members and secretaries, the deadlines designated in the Electoral Code were flagrantly violated.

Due to the submission of these proposals beyond any legal deadline, the CEC encountered many difficulties regarding the physical time for making the appointments and was faced with a fait accompli: the request that 30% of the members should belong to each gender was not observed in the composition of name list of the socialist commissioners.

In addition, the 1 st of April was determined by a CEC decision as the date of establishing the CEAZs in the district of Tirana, but due to the absence of the commissioners of the Socialist Party only three CEAZs were established instead of 14 in total.

With regard to the above mentioned reasons, the CEC was forced to conduct a meeting not included in the agenda in order to examine the situation created. On account of the hindrance created, I appeal to all political subjects to take the appropriate attitude, show their involvement, and be able to execute exactly the Electoral Code and the legal obligations deriving from it.

I take this opportunity to inform the general public and the international factor following directly or indirectly the election process in Albania, that our involvement however serious and according to the law might be, shall not meet the designated international standards without having the collaboration and support of political subjects.

Now, all are aware that political parties are factors and actors in these elections. The determined standards can be met only by undertaking the appropriate responsibilities and by implementing exactly the legal reference.

On behalf of the Central Election Commission let me inform you that I am confident we are dealing with a sporadic case and that in the future, the political parties shall be our real partners to fulfill our obligations towards the Electoral Code, Constitution and European Future of Albania.

Arben RISTANI

Chairman

Central Election Commission