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OSCE/ODIHR starts observation of local government elections in Albania
TIRANA 10 September 2003
TIRANA, 10 September 2003 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today established an Election Observation Mission to monitor the local-government elections in Albania scheduled for 12 October.
"Following the achievements of the bi-partisan parliamentary committee in agreeing improvements to the electoral framework, these elections now provide the opportunity for Albania to make significant progress in the conduct of elections", said Ambassador Robert L. Barry, Head of the Observation Mission.
The Observation Mission consists of 12 election experts at the Mission headquarters in Tirana and 18 long-term observers in the regions. The Mission will assess the election process against national legislation and international election commitments agreed to by OSCE participating States. Observers will monitor all aspects of the election including the campaign, media coverage, administrative preparations, and the resolution of election disputes.
The ODIHR intends to send 250 short-term observers to Albania shortly before election day to monitor voting, counting of ballots, and vote tabulation. On the day after the elections, the Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive final report will be released one month after the completion of the election process.
The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Presence in Albania operate separately under their specific mandates.
"Following the achievements of the bi-partisan parliamentary committee in agreeing improvements to the electoral framework, these elections now provide the opportunity for Albania to make significant progress in the conduct of elections", said Ambassador Robert L. Barry, Head of the Observation Mission.
The Observation Mission consists of 12 election experts at the Mission headquarters in Tirana and 18 long-term observers in the regions. The Mission will assess the election process against national legislation and international election commitments agreed to by OSCE participating States. Observers will monitor all aspects of the election including the campaign, media coverage, administrative preparations, and the resolution of election disputes.
The ODIHR intends to send 250 short-term observers to Albania shortly before election day to monitor voting, counting of ballots, and vote tabulation. On the day after the elections, the Observation Mission will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions. A comprehensive final report will be released one month after the completion of the election process.
The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Presence in Albania operate separately under their specific mandates.