# CE2004088EN.01011501.xml

| 8.4.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 88/115 |
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8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 88/115

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(2004/C 88 E/0121)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2784/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN), Antonio Mussa (UEN) and Adriana Poli Bortone (UEN) to the Commission

(17 September 2003)

Subject:   Elections in Albania

Subject:

The people of Albania are to elect new members of the National Assembly 10 October 2003. The OSCE, in an attempt to make the election process more transparent and devise an effective reform, has explicitly requested that the national electoral committee should reflect the political situation in the country and be composed of members of the current majority and opposition, in equal proportions (3 + 3).

Can the Commission say:

| 1. | whether it is aware that the electoral committee now consists of five members of the present socialist majority and only two members of the democratic opposition; |
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1.

whether it is aware that the electoral committee now consists of five members of the present socialist majority and only two members of the democratic opposition;

| 2. | whether it does not consider that the present composition of the electoral committee is unjust and may arouse serious suspicions of partiality; |
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2.

whether it does not consider that the present composition of the electoral committee is unjust and may arouse serious suspicions of partiality;

| 3. | whether it does not consider it appropriate at this point to set up a body to monitor all the operations involved in the election to be held on 10 October? |
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3.

whether it does not consider it appropriate at this point to set up a body to monitor all the operations involved in the election to be held on 10 October?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2003)

(27 October 2003)

Local elections in Albania took place on 12 October 2003.

The Commission has been following closely the preparation and conduct of these elections. According to the preliminary conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission (IEOM), these elections marked further progress towards compliance with OSCE, Council of Europe and other international standards for democratic elections. However, shortcomings in a number of areas were identified and remain to be addressed, particularly in relation to voters' lists which continues to be a problem area as well as to a number of organisational issues.

The Commission has been aware of the claims by the opposition regarding the composition and political balance of the Central Electoral Commission. However, the IEOM indicates in its preliminary conclusions that, despite strong controversy over alleged lack of political balance, the Central Electoral Commission has administered the elections in a generally professional, transparent and even-handed manner.

The IEOM, the Commission and other actors on the ground will continue to monitor the follow up of the elections, with particular attention to the completion of the counting, to the tabulation process, to the publication of results and to the handling of complaints and appeals. The Commission will also encourage Albania to address the shortcomings identified during these elections well ahead of the next Parliamentary elections.

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