Local Elections, 18 February 2007
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Mission at a glance
- Head of Mission: Mr. Jørgen Grunnet (Denmark)
- 11 core staff in Tirana
- 20 long-term observers deployed throughout the country
- 400 short-term observers requested
- Core team and long-term observers drawn from 15 OSCE participating States
Mission schedule
- 13 December: mission opens with arrival of the core team
- 19 December: briefing of long-term observers
- 20 December: deployment of long-term observers
- 14 February: arrival of short-term observers
- 18 February: election day
- 19 February: press conference
Following an invitation from the Albanian Government, ODIHR deployed an election observation mission (EOM) to observe the 2007 local elections. After political forces reached an agreement on 12 January, and following subsequent amendments to the Election Code, the president issued a decree scheduling the elections for 18 February.
Needs assessment
ODIHR conducted a needs assessment mission from 6 to 8 November 2006 in order to assess the conditions and preparations for the elections and to advise on the format and modalities of an election observation mission. The needs assessment mission recommended that a standard EOM be deployed.
Long-term observation
The mission opened in Tirana on 13 December. Headed by Mr. Jørgen Grunnet (Denmark), the mission comprised 11 international staff at the head office and 20 long-term observers deployed in the regions. Core-team members and long-term observers were drawn from 15 OSCE participating States.
The mission assessed the entire election process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments, international standards for democratic elections, and national legislation, focusing on the legislative framework and its implementation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, the election campaign and the media situation, as well as the resolution of election-related disputes.
Short-term observation
ODIHR requested that the OSCE participating States second 400 observers to be deployed in teams of two across Albania to observe the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results at all levels.
On the day following election day, the mission held a press conference in Tirana and issued a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions on the first phases of the electoral process.
Previous elections
ODIHR has observed a number of elections in Albania, including parliamentary elections in 2001 and 2005 and local elections in 2003.