TIRANA, July 28 /ATA/ The Special Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform held a technical meeting on preventing and addressing the misuse of state resources during elections, focusing on the need to strengthen the legal framework and safeguard free and fair electoral processes.
Committee co-chair Damian Gjiknuri said the use of public and human resources during election campaigns remains a highly debated issue. He noted that Albania has introduced significant legislative measures, especially through the 2020 electoral reform, which set new standards for restricting public activities that may affect campaigns and expanded the role of the Central Election Commission and civil society in oversight. Gjiknuri added that further improvements are still needed.
“This is an important issue because it concerns one of the most debated topics: the role of state and human resources and their potential impact on electoral campaigns. Albania has adopted several legislative measures and has introduced restrictions that, in my view, few European countries have put in place, particularly regarding public activities that could sway elections. The 2020 reform established new standards on these restrictions and strengthened the role of the Central Election Commission and civil society in monitoring public activities and their potential impact on campaigns. There is still room for improvement.
“The advantage of the governing party is a phenomenon recognised everywhere. Even in the world’s most democratic countries, it is considered a reality. However, it is essential to minimise the use of human resources for electoral purposes,” he added.”
He urged lawmakers to rely on international expertise and best practices, saying the Electoral Reform Committee should deliver a new legislative package by the end of the year, ahead of the November deadline.
“We should listen to international expertise and move beyond the usual debates. We should consider the recommendations on best practices and then assess the best alternatives within the Electoral Reform Committee. Our goal is to present a legislative package this year, after extending the deadline until November,” Gjiknuri said.
Committee co-chair Oerd Bylykbashi said the misuse of administrative resources was one of the main problems affecting Albania’s electoral process, arguing that the use of state institutions to benefit the ruling party undermines a level playing field.
Bylykbashi said no electoral system could ensure free and fair elections if state bodies were used to support a political party, adding that finding an effective solution to the issue should be a key priority of the electoral reform process.
“This is a fundamental part of the committee’s work: reaching conclusions and turning them into legislative changes. The issue we are examining today is one of the most serious and damaging challenges facing Albania’s electoral process. Some may argue that this has always existed, but the scale of the problem today leaves no space for free and fair elections. No electoral system can withstand the state being used in favour of one of the contestants, undermining all electoral standards. If we fail to find an effective and workable solution, this reform committee will not fulfil one of its key objectives, and Albania will not have elections,” he said.
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