The OSCE Presence in Albania said on Thursday that the programme covered a broad range of issues, from the legal framework governing prisoners’ voting rights, practical measures for facilitating voting in prisons to best practices and lessons learned from previous elections. Participants engaged in interactive sessions on facilitating electoral participation among eligible incarcerated individuals. The training also addressed logistical and legal challenges faced by prison administration during elections and provided practical guidance on how to ensure transparency, accessibility and security in the voting process.

“Today, we focus on a cornerstone of democracy: the right to vote. In Albania, the Constitution and Electoral Code provide this right to all citizens, including incarcerated individuals, unless specifically deprived by a court ruling. It is, therefore, your responsibility, both legally and ethically, to ensure that this right is respected and facilitated,” said Ambassador Michel Tarran, the Head of the OSCE Presence.

General Director of Prisons Klevis Qose said that a total of 3,027 people in detention are expected to exercise their constitutional right to vote in 21 detention facilities. “The electoral process in penitentiary institutions will be carried out in full compliance with the constitutional and international standards, also thanks to the co-operation with the OSCE. I ask for maximum professionalism from all employees involved in this process. Above all, it must be ensured that the will of each individual is expressed freely and without any kind of influence,” he said.

This training is part of the OSCE Presence’s support to law enforcement authorities ahead of the 11 May elections. Recently, the Presence facilitated capacity building for the State Police, donated IT equipment to SPAK to support mobile investigation teams, trained prosecutors in investigating electoral crimes and convened a roundtable where civil society organizations discussed their findings and recommendations in tackling electoral crimes with the relevant state institutions.

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