TIRANA, June 5 /ATA/- The Political Council has reached an agreement on changes in the Electoral Reform. After several meetings between representatives of political parties, this evening at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana the sides reached a consensus on some important issues related to the Electoral Reform, one of the conditions of the EU for the integration of our country in the EU.
The Political Council has reached an agreement on the administration of the elections, acknowledging the 100% inclusion of electronic voter identification in the elections. The draft agreement states that the Government of Albania guarantees timely funding for its implementation as much as it will be technically as possible.
One of the issues resolved is the composition of election commissions. Regarding the composition of the commissions of the polling stations, it is stated that “Two members of the commission have limited rights and responsibilities in monitoring and contesting (the title will be determined) one by the government and one by the minority, and three determined by lot by CEC, of which only one will act as chairman and take decisions ”.
Regarding the issue of electronic identification, ODIHR recommends gradual inclusion and has suggested in comments to the Council that any transition to electronic identification, voting or counting should begin with a pilot program consisting of no more than 20 percent of the voters that the Council advised. Parties must get committed to support the implementation of electronic identification, which should account for 100 percent of voters in the upcoming elections in a technically feasible extent. Applicability will be determined by the CEC supported by international experts. The Government of Albania guarantees timely funding for implementation as technically as possible./p.s./
