OSCE Presence launches voter education project for Roma and Egyptian women in Albania

TIRANA, 8 April 2015 – On the occasion of International Roma Day, the OSCE Presence in Albania announced today the start of a project aimed at educating Roma and Egyptian women voters ahead of the local government elections on 21 June. More than 140 women will participate in seven training sessions across the country, which will focus on topics related to the right to vote, family-voting and vote-buying.

The OSCE/ODIHR report on 2013 elections in Albania found that disadvantaged communities such as the Roma and Egyptians were reportedly more frequently targeted by illegal practices, including vote-buying. This is exacerbated by the widespread practice of block voting in these communities.

“Roma and Egyptian women have been under-represented both as voters and as candidates in past elections. The elimination of discrimination and the promotion of policies that provide equal opportunities for them in all aspects of life – including participation in public and political life – are key instruments to ensure Roma and Egyptians’ full integration in Albanian society,” said the Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Florian Raunig.

Raunig welcomed recent amendments to the Electoral Code, which provide for a 50 per cent gender quota in the lists of candidates for local councillors, and for the rejection of the lists should the parties fail to meet such requirements. “These historical amendments give a golden chance to women across Albania, including Roma and Egyptians, to be part of local decision-making bodies and contribute in the lives of their communities,” he said.

The voter education project for Roma and Egyptian women is being implemented by the OSCE Presence in Albania with government funds from Australia. It is based on the results of the OSCE/ODIHR Best Practices for Roma Integration project, implemented during 2012-2013 in the Western Balkans.