Press release
Tirana, 17 May 2019 – The Coalition for Reforms, Integration and Consolidated Institutions (KRIIK Albania) is following in continuity the preparation of the electoral process for the Local Elections 2019, especially the decision-making of the Central Election Commission (CEC).
On 17 May 2019, KRIIK published the STATEMENT “The process of registration of candidates raises questions on the integrity of the future electoral process” in which it calls upon the Central Election Commission to take again into consideration and bring back into the legal bedrock the registration of the mayoral candidate for the Municipality of Lezhë from the National Conservative Party Albania, as well as to urgently take all necessary measures to supervise closely and carefully the whole candidate registration process, especially as conducted by Commissions of Election Administration Zones.
KRIIK notes with concern that there is a lack of clarity and of information from both second level election management bodies and other institutional and political stakeholders regarding the candidate registration procedures. While the Election Code sets out that candidacies from parties that do not possess a mandate in the Assembly of Albania or the relevant municipal council for at least the last six months must present supporting signatures from eligible voters, the Central Election Commission has registered as candidate for Mayor of Lezhë, Mr. Eduart Ndocaj, nominated by the National Conservative Party Albania, based on incorrect documentation from both the Assembly of Albania and the Municipal Council of Lezhë, regarding the possession of mandates by this political party in both these bodies.
KRIIK calls upon the General Secretary of the Assembly of Albania and chairs of municipal councils to fulfill both in spirit and in letter the legislation in force about the electoral process.
Moreover, KRIIK suggests that CEC inform fully and clearly on the procedures and criteria for the candidate registration, both Commissions of Election Administration Zones and other stakeholders, as well as the public.
In conclusion, KRIIK brings into attention the fact that the process of selection and registration of candidates is a crucial one for local governance, especially in terms of the quality of the candidates, integrity, and morality that they must manifest and reflect, as well as in terms of their selection procedures. Before all, this process must be conducted in full respect of deadlines, procedures and other legal requirements.