Tirana, on 28.06.2009

21:00

PRESS RELEASE

On behalf of the Central Election Commission, before stating the detailed data on the conduct and completion of the first phase of the electoral process, I am glad to express the successful completion of the voting process. The CEC has followed carefully the voting process through all its structures both in the center and base, enabling thus the conduct of a process which without hesitation could be evaluated as the best process ever conducted in our country.

First of all, I would like to congratulate and thank all the Albanian voters, who demonstrated great civilian values and a high level of their democratic spirit during the whole voting process. This democratic spirit is clearly seen in the great participation in the voting according to all the data we have so far.

In this context, I would like to express the maximal appreciation for all electoral subjects running in these elections. Their attitude throughout the voting day and their effort to maintain the required level helped not only us in our work, but also all citizens to have a peaceful voting process.

The voting process has been closed in all the voting centers at 19:00, a time which is clearly provided for in the Electoral Code. We have not been informed regarding any problems or long lines at the voting centers. This situation confirms once again the quiet conduct of the voting process.

However, we are completely engaged, since, for us, the electoral process has not been closed yet. We are ahead of the process of ballot box counting and are carefully attending the transportation of the electoral base from each voting center to the 66 counting centers.

Of course, we have to deal with a second phase of a high and same importance of the electoral process. At the moment, we are informed that the camera system of ballot counting is ready. In addition, you have confirmed yourself that the camera system providing images in real time at the CEC from all the VCC-s, functions without problems.

The presence of both local and foreign observers has greatly contributed to the transparency of this process. We are certain that their contribution shall continue with the same devotion and correctness even during the ballot counting process.

Arben RISTANI

Chairman

Central Election Commission

Tirana, on 28.06.2009

17:30

PRESS RELEASE

The CEC has followed closely and carefully the voting process through all its structures in the center and base. At this moment of speaking, the electoral process has been conducted normally without any inherent problems, thus without violating its integrity. The voting started normally, at hrs 07:00 as provided for in the Electoral Code. The only problem encountered at the opening of the voting centers was the lack of the seal in VC 4499, under the administration of the CEAZ 61, in Vlora region.

Another technical problem was the lack of the ink in some 35 VC-s in Tirana and other cities, a problem which was immediately solved as a result of the quick intervention of the Commission and its structures. They send the ink and the pad, cooperated with the local heads or school headmasters where these voting centers are established.

In addition, as a result of the non-presence of socialist commissioners, some voting centers such as those No.3119; 3120; 3121 in Portës Commune of Fieri, were not opened till hrs 16:00. Also, in CEAZ 26, in Gjirokastra, VC No.4371 in Mezhgoran of Center Commune Tepelene was not opened until hrs 16:00. In CEAZ 5, Region Diber, Municipality Peshkopi, commissioners of the VC 1127 did not take over the material base and consequently the voting did not start. Thus, up to this moment, the voting has not started in 6 Voting Centers in total around the country.

Meanwhile, upon the opening and beginning of the voting has been found that in CEAZ 38, Lezha region, Municipality Rreshen, in VC 0778 the left wing commissioners have left and the voting has been interrupted. Also in CEAZ 41, region Shkoder, Municipality Bushat, in VC 0342 the left-wing commissioners have left obstructing the voting process. The same phenomenon is encountered in VC QV 0778 in the village of Xhuxhë, in CEAZ 38, Lezha region, Municipality Rrëshen.

Of course, there has been a limited number of VC-s, where the voting has been suspended for a while for different reasons to restart again later without causing any further problems. Some claims have been made regarding the quality of the timber ink, but it was proved that they were entirely ungrounded, in fact evil-minded.

We gladly admit that the participation in the voting process has been relatively high nearly in all the regions of the country.

Arben RISTANI

Chairman

Central Election Commission

Tirana, on 28.06.2009

PRESS RELEASE

In the first briefing meeting of the Central Election Commission, the representative of DP in the CEC raised his concern that the commission members proposed by the Socialist Party are following procedures which are illegal. More specifically, there are using ultraviolet lamps to make possible, according to them, the verification of citizens’ identification documents. This fact was affirmed even by the Socialist Party representative in the CEC meeting.  

In addition, we are aware that in many Voting Centers, commissioners proposed by the Socialist Party are using micro cameras to film the voting procedures of different voters. Information coming to the CEC shows that this procedure, totally against the law, is causing serious incidents in the election process and is intimidating the voters. We state that this procedure gravely violates the constitutional principle of the secrecy of the vote.

Under these conditions, the CEC would like to inform the entire election administration, the voters and broad public that the use of these elements is illegal and constitutes a flagrant violation of the voting procedures clearly established in the Electoral Code. We appeal to the commissioners to follow only the procedures provided for in the Electoral Code and if they fail to abide by the law, records will be kept and filed in the respective CEAZs and to the CEC. We appeal to the political subject which provided its commissioners with these equipments to request them to immediately stop using them.

The CEC will strongly react to all these totally unlawful actions and guarantees that will require the start of penal proceedings against all those who violate the law.

In addition, the CEC appeals to the Socialist Party and its commissioners in the VC no. 3119; 3120; 3121, in Portes Commune, Fier, to go to the voting centers and give the opportunity to the eligible voters to exercise their right to vote uninhibited.  The CEC appeals once again to all the political subjects that run in Parliamentary Elections to strictly follow the law and procedures established in the Electoral Code.

SPOKESMAN

Central Election Commission

Tirana, on 24.06.2009

PRESS RELEASE

On behalf of the Central Election Commission, I would like to express its greatest concern regarding the non-enforcement of the legal framework and incomprehensible violation of the legal deadlines established for all political subjects, which should submit the proposals of VCC-s members at the respective CEAZ-s. This behavior, which is entirely contrary to the legal framework, but also the obligations the political subjects have regarding the process, are seriously endangering the standards defined for this part of the electoral process.

We are sorry to inform you that the trainings foreseen for members of the voting center commissions throughout the country failed, because the political subjects did not submit all their proposals for the members of third level commissions. You should bear in mind that the training is very important part of this process, since these commissioners shall in reality manage this process on Election Day, in 4750 Voting Centers throughout the country. It is quite clear that if these commissioners do not know the legal framework, then the Electoral Code shall not be implemented appropriately.

Considering these reasons, the Central Election Commission appeals to all political subjects to immediately submit their proposals at each CEAZ, in order that these commissions can continue to appoint the members and that our trainers can conduct their trainings.

Arben RISTANI

Chairman

Central Election Commission

Tirana, on 19.06.2009

PRESS RELEASE

The Central Election Commission expresses its greatest concern regarding the flagrant and continuous violation of the Electoral Code by many local government heads, but also by their unprecedented irresponsibility. The irresponsibility shown regularly by these people is seriously endangering the standards of the electoral process.

The CEC was found in a very difficult situation, since the majority of them did not submit within the deadline provided for in the Electoral Code, not only the number of voters for each voting center, the exact number of the Voting Centers, but also the final data. These shortcomings endangered seriously both the preparation of the electoral logistics and particularly the production of the ballot sheet.

In these cases, in compliance with the Electoral Code, the Central Election Commission required the cooperation of the General Directorate of the Civil Status. Regardless of the continuous appeal that the CEC has made to the local heads and the administrative measures taken against them, the situation is not improving at all.

After we established the VC-s, they were obliged to observe these decisions, but many local heads have united and divided the Voting Centers, thus leading to a real collapse on Election Day. These adventurous interventions represent extremely great difficulties in preparing and delivering the election logistical base. With the same collapse shall be faced even those voters, who shall not be able to find their voting center.

SPOKESMAN

Central Election Commission