Electoral reform, Borchardt: Continue the work!

Electoral reform, Borchardt: Continue the work!

The OSCE Ambassador to Albania, Berndt Borchardt is still hopeful that Albanian politics will find language for consensus on Electoral Reform.

Although the Central Election Commission has started preparations for tje administration of the local elections on June 30th as per the old electoral Code, Berndt Borchardt does not see this as an obstacle to the work of the Ad Hock Parliamentary Commission.

Borchardt acknowledged that while some issues have a quick-fix solution, much of the work to be done is ongoing and expected to run on a long-term timeline.

In particular, he referred to the use of new voting technology, such as the introduction of electronic voting, as one of the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations that would require a longer time span to be successfully implemented, as well as the de-politicization of commissions.

Borchardt went on to add that it whilst it was positive to see the number of members of the CEC rise to 5 from the 4 it had in previous years, it was regretful to see that two empty seats remained in the commission due to the lack of the opposition's nomination.

He warned the political parties of the importance of the functioning of this institution and encouraged them to learn from past mistakes. 

Despite these comments, Borchardt positively assessed the Democratic Party's willingness to participate in the Special Reform Commission, advising that Lulzim Basha had declared his party's readiness to continue the work with momentum. 

The Central Election Commission has begun their work in preparation for the local government elections to be held mid next year despite having two vacancies, while the country remains hopeful that the optimistic view of the Internationals that true electoral reform can, in fact, be achieved. 

EMISIONET