Press release
OSCE Presence and ODIHR concerned at Albanian political parties' failure to pass electoral law amendments
- Date:
- Place:
- TIRANA
- Source:
- OSCE Presence in Albania
TIRANA, 24 December 2004 - The OSCE Presence in Albania and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today expressed their concern over a failure by the Albanian Assembly and political parties to adopt amendments to the country's electoral law.
The failure came as a result of the major political parties' disagreement over a new division of electoral zone boundaries for the 2005 parliamentary elections.
Two days of negotiations between the ruling Socialist Party (SP) and the opposition Democratic Party (DP) on the new zone boundaries, facilitated by the OSCE Presence in Albania, did not result in any final agreement. However, some progress was made towards consensus on a number of issues.
The delay in approving the amendments, agreed earlier by consensus in the ad hoc parliamentary committee on electoral reform, may endanger preparations for holding the upcoming elections in accordance with international standards.
The OSCE Presence and the ODIHR call on the political parties to shoulder their responsibilities and show willingness to compromise and find an expedient solution to the outstanding issue of the zone boundaries, and that the Assembly can approve the amendments to the Electoral Code when the new session convenes.
The OSCE Presence and the ODIHR stand ready to assist with expertise and will continue to monitor the process closely.
The failure came as a result of the major political parties' disagreement over a new division of electoral zone boundaries for the 2005 parliamentary elections.
Two days of negotiations between the ruling Socialist Party (SP) and the opposition Democratic Party (DP) on the new zone boundaries, facilitated by the OSCE Presence in Albania, did not result in any final agreement. However, some progress was made towards consensus on a number of issues.
The delay in approving the amendments, agreed earlier by consensus in the ad hoc parliamentary committee on electoral reform, may endanger preparations for holding the upcoming elections in accordance with international standards.
The OSCE Presence and the ODIHR call on the political parties to shoulder their responsibilities and show willingness to compromise and find an expedient solution to the outstanding issue of the zone boundaries, and that the Assembly can approve the amendments to the Electoral Code when the new session convenes.
The OSCE Presence and the ODIHR stand ready to assist with expertise and will continue to monitor the process closely.
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