OSCE/ODIHR to observe local elections in Albania

TIRANA, 29 March 2011 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an observation mission to monitor the 8 May local elections in Albania.

The election observation mission consists of 15 international experts based in Tirana and 24 long-term observers to be deployed throughout the country. In addition, ODIHR will request 400 short-term observers to monitor election day proceedings and the counting process. The mission is headed by Jonathan Stonestreet, who has headed several election missions for ODIHR in recent years.

The mission will assess the local elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections, as well as with domestic legislation. Observers will follow campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, the implementation of election-related legislation, the media environment and the resolution of election-related disputes. Short-term observers will monitor the opening of voting centres, the voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

After the elections, ODIHR will present a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a news conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.

The ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Presence in Albania operate separately under their specific mandates.