Local elections, 14 May 2023
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Mission at a glance
Head of Mission: Dame Audrey Glover
Core team of 13 experts from 12 OSCE participating States, based in Tirana
24 long-term observers deployed throughout the country
Mission schedule
7 April: Opening of the mission
11 April: Arrival of long-term observers
12 April: Briefing of long-term observers
13 April: Deployment of long-term observers throughout the country
10 May: Arrival of short-term observers
12 May: Deployment of short-term observers
14 May: Election day
15 May: Press conference on preliminary findings and conclusions
17 May: Departure of short-term observers
22 May: Departure of long-term observers
25 May: Departure of the core team
Following an invitation to observe the upcoming local elections in the Republic of Albania scheduled for 14 May 2023, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for these elections.
The ODIHR EOM and the OSCE Presence in Albania operate separately under their specific mandates.
Long-term Observation
The ODIHR EOM, headed by Dame Audrey Glover, consists of 13 international experts based in Tirana. In addition, 24 long-term observers, from 14 participating countries, will be deployed throughout the country from 13 April.
The mission will assess the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards, as well as with national legislation. Observers will, in particular, look into the legal framework for and the administration of elections, candidate registration, conduct of the campaign, the resolution of election-related disputes, campaign finance rules, as well as media environment and media coverage of the elections. They will also assess how prior ODIHR election-related recommendations have been implemented. As part of the observation, the EOM will conduct comprehensive monitoring of the media.
Election Day
ODIHR has requested 300 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 14 May elections. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two to follow the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.
The day after the elections, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press 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.
Previous Elections
ODIHR has previously observed 15 elections and referenda in the country, most recently the 2021 parliamentary elections.