The need for the depoliticization of the electoral administration was discussed this Tuesday at a table organized by the Central Electoral Commission, the presence of the OSCE in Tirana and the assembly of the Council of Europe, reports A2 CNN. The Chief State Commissioner of Elections, Ilirjan Celibashi, requested that there be changes regarding the electoral administration, but according to him, political parties should not be avoided 100%.
"In my personal judgment, at least in the political and social situation where Albania is, political parties should be completely excluded from the administration, I think we would make a big mistake, if parties were completely avoided and we called only civil servants", said Ilirjan Celibashi, Chief Commissioner of the CEC.
For the internationals, the depoliticization of the administration should take place according to the recommendations that have been made in the past. For them, it is important that whoever will replace the party members in the process, be trained by the CEC.
"A permanent training structure should be established, there is political consensus between the parties on this issue. Such a center connected to the CEC would provide a stable and professional framework for formation and training in all election cycles", said Liri Kopaçi, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
"This center will serve as a hub for providing comprehensive training and voter education in order to create a pool of professional and impartial election officials," said Michel Tarran, OSCE Ambassador.
"Independent electoral administration is important for fair and free elections. The code of good practice in electoral matters identifies that the administration should be independent. The members of the election commissions must receive training and those who are appointed cannot leave at will", said Sasa Zagorc, representative of the Venice Commission.
Political parties again share opposite opinions on this issue. "We cannot move towards an idea that may be beautiful, but may turn out to be disastrous for the electoral standard and for the legitimacy of the organization of the elections", said Oerd Bylykbashi, vice-president of the Democratic Party. "It is a shared responsibility for all parties to engage constructively to build an independent electoral administration. We remain committed to advancing this vision", Elena Xhina, legal representative of the SP.
On the other hand, civil society actors blame politics for blocking the process of depoliticization of the electoral administration. (A2 Televizion)
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