Burning of mandates, Kume: This is an action that bears no legal constraints

Burning of mandates, Kume: This is an action that bears no legal constraints

The former head of the Central Election Commission, Kristaq Kume has provided his insight into the potential outcomes which could arise should the Democratic Party burn their mandates.

Speaking before the country's top journalists, this connoisseur of the Albanian Electoral Code gave his opinion, explaining: “Burning of mandates is an action equivalent to the resignation of a mandate, so it is an act that has no legal deadlock.

“If it is actually realized, it means that vacancies will be created in the Albanian Assembly. As such, the Central Election Commission would then be tasked with filling those vacancies. However it should be noted that the Electoral code offers no provisions as to how the process should be undertaken."

Asked whether the mandate of an opposition party could be delegated to another party, Kume replied:

“It may that we see the entry of other parties, who have previously been in the electoral ballot, in the Parliament, but there is no direct answer to your question that can be taken expressly from the Electoral Code.

“For the purpose of analogy, let’s look at what occurs when it is an independent MP in question. Upon learning of the intention by the independent NO to leave his post, The Central Election Commission should offer the mandate to the subject next in line from an electoral position.

“Should a similar approach be applied in these circumstances, it may be seen that this opens the possibility that a member of an alternative political party will be offered the mandate."

Kume urged the majority to reflect on the situation and to seek out appropriate solutions.

“In my opinion, this is all just political techniques. The problem we are facing should not be dealt with in this manner, as it negatively affects the political standing and governance of the whole country.

“We are a society that has accepted to be governed by the principle of representation through the election of MPs and the creation of a majority and an opposition. These two forces should work together for the purpose of good-governance. If the opposition abandons their post, the Assembly is forced function without their valuable contribution.

The Democratic Party gathered their parliamentary group this morning, discussing a proposal made the day before by the chair of the DP, Lulzim Basha, for Opposition MPs to withdraw from their mandates 

Sources who attend the meeting assert that Basha declared: "We owe the citizens, they trust us and we have to be by their side during this state of national emergency. It’s our duty to lead the Albanians.”

EMISIONET