ODIHR working with Albania on planned election law amendments

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will provide expertise to Albania’s Special Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform, including through expert team visits to Tirana, in 2012.

On the invitation of the Albanian Parliament, ODIHR will advise on planned amendments to the Electoral Code to be drafted by the Special Committee, ahead of parliamentary elections due in spring 2013.

“This is part of ODIHR’s broader efforts to assist OSCE participating States, upon their request, in ensuring elections are held in line with their OSCE commitments and international standards for democratic elections,” said Beata Martin-Rozumilowicz, Head of the ODIHR Election Department. “As it is generally accepted good practice for changes in electoral legislation to be introduced at least a year ahead of elections, ODIHR is ready to provide what help it can immediately.”

An initial expert team visit will take place from 24 to 27 January, and will include meetings with the Speaker of Parliament, the Special Committee and a subgroup made up of technical election experts, as well as with representatives of smaller political parties, civil society and the international community.

ODIHR’s support follows its final report on the 8 May 2011 local elections and a December 2011 Joint Opinion on the Electoral Code, issued by ODIHR and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. Assistance is being provided through a project of the OSCE Presence in Albania with financial support from the United Kingdom.