Suggestion for the review of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania

Prot.nr.1                                                                                                                    Tiranë, January10, 2012

Special Committee for Electoral Reform
Assembly of the Republic of Albania
Attention to:
Z. Ilir Rusmajli and Z.Damian Gjiknuri, in the capacity of co-Leaders;
Member/s of the Committee

Subject:
Suggestion for the review of the Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania

Dear member/s of the Special Committee for Electoral Reform,
We, representatives of the civil society organization that work closely together to promote and to achieve gender equality and the principles of non-discrimination, by seriously and positively considering your invitation dated December 20, 2011 to present suggestions in the context of electoral reform, but also carrying the civil concern for the increase of quality and the improvement of the standards of the electoral process, we present as follows some suggestions, which we hope will be taken under consideration by this committee.
These suggestions are based on the fact that the democratic elections, free and honest, as one of the pillars of the functioning of democracy in the country, rely not only on a Electoral Code which is well formulated, comprehensive and rigorous in its implementation, but also in the full implementation of all legislation that is in effect in our country.
The suggestions contained in this opinion are based also on reports of observers of civil society and international organizations during the previous electoral processes, as well as on the recommendations of the reports of OSCE /ODIHR following the general elections of 2009 and the local elections of 2011, as well as the recommendations of the Venice Commission.