In line with its mission, aiming to strengthen the integrity of elections, KRIIK followed in continuity, since the completion of the election observation action for the 2017 parliamentary elections, almost all institutional, legislative and political processes that are, directly or indirectly, related to the electoral process, including the attempted electoral reform, to which it remains dedicated, but also other processes, especially the political crisis that the country is going through since January 2019. KRIIK’s stances on these developments have been made public in continuity through public statements.
KRIIK started to monitor the process for the Local Elections 2019 since the announcement of the decree of the President of Republic of 5 November 2018, setting the date of elections.
Besides observing in continuity the contextual political and institutional elements, observation of the technical elements were focussed on the conduct and decision-making of the Central Election Commission and Electoral College, as well as on an overall monitoring of the compilation of voter lists.
Starting 21 June 2019, the Election Observation Action for the 2019 Local Elections was carried out with the financial support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Tirana. Thanks to this support, KRIIK engaged 90 long-term observers, one per each of the election administration zones of the country. The observation of the technical and administrative elements of the process and documenting of the administrative steps completes the observation of the institutional and political situation, enabling a better understanding and more precise assessment of the process, in all its elements.
KRIIK did not engage short-term observers to monitor polling stations on Election Day. The findings from the observation were made public through the Public Stance “June 30 as a failure of the Albanian political class and a threat to democracy” and the Final Report.
KRIIK carried out the election observation action in cooperation with nine local organizations with experience in election observation, which provided human resources as observers: “Civic Forum of Selenicë”; “Youth Movement for Democracy” Center – Pukë; Center for Women Counseling and Social Services of Kukës “; Counseling Center for Persons with Disabilities”- Shkodër; Vlora Youth Center; Center “All Together for the Integration of Roma”; Center for the Development of Civil Society – Durrës; Center for the Development of Civil Society – Korçë; Association “For the Protection of the Rights of Urban and Rural Women”- Berat.