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OSCE calls all parties to continue responsible behaviour in second round of Albania elections
TIRANA 9 July 2001
TIRANA, 9 July 2001 (OSCE) - In the final hours leading up to the second round of parliamentary elections in Albania on 8 July, the OSCE Presence urged all parties to continue to act responsibly by restraining their rhetoric and conducting themselves in a mature manner.
The following statement was issued jointly by Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania; Jorgen Grunnet, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe; Joseph Limprecht, Embassy of the United States of American in Albania; and Dimitris Iliopoulos, European Union Presidency Representative, Embassy of Greece:
"In preparation for the Albanian Parliamentarian elections the Albanian government, the Central Election Commission and political parties have worked hard to ensure a high level of transparency and political maturity in the electoral process. The international community has played its part in encouraging and supporting these developments. We support the International Election Observation Mission's assessment that these elections have marked progress towards meeting international election standards. Although the first round was marred by a few incidents, the active political participation, restrained campaign rhetoric, and generally calm atmosphere in the first round demonstrate that democracy in Albania has been strengthened. The Albanian people have indicated their preparedness for a new level of political practice that will bring them closer to their Euro-Atlantic neighbors.
"However, the first round represented only one element of a larger picture. As the Observation Mission has indicated, the conduct of the second round will greatly determine the final assessment. International monitors will pay close attention to the manner in which the Voting Centre Commissions and Zonal Electoral Commissions perform their duties. We urge them to fulfill their responsibilities in a timely and non-partisan fashion.
"The international community expects transparency and impartiality by the Central Election Commission, the police and the courts. Credible charges should be resolved through established judicial and electoral frameworks. Political parties must continue to act responsibly by restraining their rhetoric and conducting themselves in a mature manner. Of paramount importance is the acceptance of internationally recognized election results by all parties.
"All political participants must remain forward-looking and act in the interest of stability and the future of Albania so that the process of Albania's integration into the Euro-Atlantic community may continue."
The 8 July runoff elections involve almost one-half of the electoral zones. One hundred members of parliament are elected in districts while the remaining 40 seats are allocated on the basis of a proportional system. The first round of elections was conducted on 24 June.
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For more information please contact Steven Glorioso, Acting Spokesperson, OSCE Presence in Albania, tel. (+355-4) 235 993, ext. 153, 123, or 132; fax: (+355-4) 235 994 / 40001; e-mail: oscepress@icc.al.eu.org.
The following statement was issued jointly by Geert-Hinrich Ahrens, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania; Jorgen Grunnet, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe; Joseph Limprecht, Embassy of the United States of American in Albania; and Dimitris Iliopoulos, European Union Presidency Representative, Embassy of Greece:
"In preparation for the Albanian Parliamentarian elections the Albanian government, the Central Election Commission and political parties have worked hard to ensure a high level of transparency and political maturity in the electoral process. The international community has played its part in encouraging and supporting these developments. We support the International Election Observation Mission's assessment that these elections have marked progress towards meeting international election standards. Although the first round was marred by a few incidents, the active political participation, restrained campaign rhetoric, and generally calm atmosphere in the first round demonstrate that democracy in Albania has been strengthened. The Albanian people have indicated their preparedness for a new level of political practice that will bring them closer to their Euro-Atlantic neighbors.
"However, the first round represented only one element of a larger picture. As the Observation Mission has indicated, the conduct of the second round will greatly determine the final assessment. International monitors will pay close attention to the manner in which the Voting Centre Commissions and Zonal Electoral Commissions perform their duties. We urge them to fulfill their responsibilities in a timely and non-partisan fashion.
"The international community expects transparency and impartiality by the Central Election Commission, the police and the courts. Credible charges should be resolved through established judicial and electoral frameworks. Political parties must continue to act responsibly by restraining their rhetoric and conducting themselves in a mature manner. Of paramount importance is the acceptance of internationally recognized election results by all parties.
"All political participants must remain forward-looking and act in the interest of stability and the future of Albania so that the process of Albania's integration into the Euro-Atlantic community may continue."
The 8 July runoff elections involve almost one-half of the electoral zones. One hundred members of parliament are elected in districts while the remaining 40 seats are allocated on the basis of a proportional system. The first round of elections was conducted on 24 June.
--
For more information please contact Steven Glorioso, Acting Spokesperson, OSCE Presence in Albania, tel. (+355-4) 235 993, ext. 153, 123, or 132; fax: (+355-4) 235 994 / 40001; e-mail: oscepress@icc.al.eu.org.