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OSCE Albania Presence notes continued problems with political conduct in 7 December elections
TIRANA 10 December 2003
TIRANA, 10 December 2003 - Sunday's local government elections in the municipality of Vergo were conducted in an orderly manner, however the repeat voting in the commune of Gruemire was marred by serious violations of the law, the OSCE Presence in Albania said today.
The Presence observed voting in the municipality of Vergo (Delvina district) and in the commune of Gruemire (Malesi e Madhe district) on 7 December.
The by-election in Vergo to replace the deceased mayor-elect was conducted in an orderly and non-conflictual manner. Despite an extremely close outcome, with only 30 votes separating the first and last of the four candidates, no complaints were lodged by any party during the tabulation process.
In marked contrast, observers in Gruemire have reported that polling in the one observed voting centre was marred by serious violations of the law and violent incidents perpetrated by Democratic Party members of the voting centre commission and their sympathizers. It was noted that five MPs were present in the area of the voting centre, while no such high level presence was observed in Vergo.
The OSCE Presence in Albania will continue to follow the handling of this case by the appropriate institutions.
The Presence observed voting in the municipality of Vergo (Delvina district) and in the commune of Gruemire (Malesi e Madhe district) on 7 December.
The by-election in Vergo to replace the deceased mayor-elect was conducted in an orderly and non-conflictual manner. Despite an extremely close outcome, with only 30 votes separating the first and last of the four candidates, no complaints were lodged by any party during the tabulation process.
In marked contrast, observers in Gruemire have reported that polling in the one observed voting centre was marred by serious violations of the law and violent incidents perpetrated by Democratic Party members of the voting centre commission and their sympathizers. It was noted that five MPs were present in the area of the voting centre, while no such high level presence was observed in Vergo.
The OSCE Presence in Albania will continue to follow the handling of this case by the appropriate institutions.