The Coalition of Local Observers - a civil society initiative supported by the Swiss and US Embassies - organised a conference to tackle the issue of electoral corruption which is present in Albania’s voting processes in several forms. Participants included those from the highest level: Prime Minister Edi Rama, Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta, leader of the opposition Democratic Party Lulzim Basha and the Head of the Central Elections Committee, Lefterie Luzi.
Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke about the need to depoliticise electoral commissions. “I believe today we are in the right time to undertake this step which has been requested traditionally by all international partners before all electoral reforms. But it’s a step we have hesitated to make for a number of well-known reasons”, said PM Rama. He also touched upon the problem of political advertising during electoral campaigns. “It is the most expensive part of the electoral campaign and the darkest part in many aspects. I believe it’s necessary for us to discuss because it wouldn’t be wrong to reduce this item and relieve the financial burden it places on parties that are seriously in competition”, continued Rama.
On the other hand, the Democratic Party leader, Lulzim Basha emphasised the electoral corruption which according to him has become a threat since 2013. According to Basha today in Albania a vote has a price, a mandate has a price, the parliament has a price in Euro. “Electoral corruption is the core of Albania’s problems. Today’s topic is not academic. Power and money, money and power are closely connected. If there is an enemy of elections today, that enemy is electoral corruption”, stated Basha. Different from the norm, he also agreed with Prime Minister Rama’s stance on party financing and investigation of advertising sources. “Regarding the advertising issue I am in agreement with the head of the executive that all financial issues should be under the lens of the electoral reform. My presence here is a sign to sit down with no prejudice, and without avoiding responsibilities, to look for solutions on the criminal record of elections”, continued Basha.
Whereas the Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta spoke about the need to address the electoral reform rationally and in a timely manner. “What is unique here compared to before is that we are on time. Let all of us complete this reform well before the 2017 elections. Let’s not make it a last minute reform that does not address problems rationally, but that provides to citizens the proper time for them to adapt to changes”, said Mr. Meta.
In addition to Albania’s high level officials, an important message came from US Ambassador in Tirana, Donald Lu who has been an avid supporter of reforms in the country’s political and judicial sectors. “It’s a very good sign that the heads of the Socialist Party, the Democratic Party and the Socialist Movement for Integration have the political will to attend a stage organised by the NGO sector. It’s a good sign for the reform and a good sign for Albania”, said Ambassador Lu.
The Deputy Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Robert Wilton, stated that the need to reform elections was indisputable, but he warned that a law which will not be implemented would be a fraud. “Allegations of vote buying continue. Pressure is applied to employees of public administration to participate in campaigns or vote a certain way”, said Mr. Wilton, and added that “implementation is the keyword; the law should be made implementable with no exclusion. A law with no implementation is a fraud” continued the OSCE representative.
The conference continued with technical discussions on how to improve the current electoral law and process with the participation of legal and political experts. The Swiss and US Embassies supported this conference with a view to contribute to fair and transparent elections in Albania.
