April 25, 23:30 pm – KRIIK, after the completion of the voting process, expresses appreciation for the completion of this process and the massive participation of citizens in this peaceful process and demonstrating a high culture of citizenship.
Citizens respected the calls for a smooth process, made by all important local and international actors, and showing that already the sovereign voted, and it is the turn of the process administrators, appointed by the main parties in the country, who must show objectivity and correctness in the implementation of all laws for the smooth running of the counting process and respect for the pristine will of the sovereign.
The behavior of political parties during the voting process is to be commended, and KRIIK encourages these parties to continue this citizenship behavior throughout the counting process and by giving the necessary support to all persons who are engaged in this process, in CEAZ and Polling Stations.
Congratulations also go to the entire administration of the Polling Stations, which despite the great challenge of using a new technology, in a very short time, made its operation possible. The process of adapting to previous manual procedures is also to be appreciated, in case the technology was impossible to reach in some polling stations.
From the information that KRIIK has managed to obtain, we believe that this process has been correct, however field observers are still in the process of gathering information and complaints that can be expressed.
It is to be commended the media which has covered extensively, actively and correctly, respecting the electoral silence, the entire process so far.
As far as domestic and international observers are concerned, the strong messages in support of a fair process and the pristine will of the citizens are to be thanked, as a necessary step for the country towards Euro-Atlantic values and challenges on the road to the EU.
KRIIK observers and all partners have an invaluable role to play in real-time reporting and fulfilling the entire allocation and task plan as envisaged. The counting process has already started, which has started in 24 CEAZs and EAZs throughout the country, while the submission of materials to other EAZs is still in progress.
While it is important to emphasize that in the meantime some incidents have been recorded, such as in the Municipality of Vlora, in CEAZ 37 voting was closed at 20.20, due to the delay of this process after problems with the electronic identification device.
The delay in the delivery of election materials, for non-objective reasons, occurred in CEAZ 398, in Fushë Arrëz, where the PSD observer attacked a police officer, who was then accompanied by law enforcement, thus delaying the process of submission of election materials.
During this process, a large number of CEAZs have allowed KRIIK observers to be present at the submission of these materials. While in some CEAZs, such as 17 and 18 in Bulqiza, 13 and 15 in Lezha, this right has not been made possible, not allowing any of the observers to participate in this process. Realizing the heavy workload in these CEAZs, KRIIK recalls that this is an incorrect practice, as the Electoral Code stipulates that all processes must take place in the presence of observers, with maximum transparency.
In some polling stations the process was delayed due to the influx of ballot boxes at the same time. Incorrect closing of some of the ballot boxes was also in some cases due to delays in the submission process and the start of the counting process.
Another significant incident was the threat of a person who threatened the commissioners of a polling station in Libofsha, Fier, with force. The person was then escorted to the police by law enforcement, an incident which consequently delayed the process of handing over the ballot boxes.
In total, the closing procedures were completed on time in 83% of the polling stations. In 3% there were still queues of voters seeking to vote. No cases were observed when voters were not allowed to vote at the last minute. There was full agreement among the members of the commission to close the process.
About 74% of polling stations had observers present at the time of closing of polling stations. About 60% of observers were domestic and 10% foreign observers. In 2% of cases it was reported that there were unauthorized persons inside the polling stations at the time of their closure. These were party members.
The process of sealing the boxes with the security code occurred in 100% of cases, except for some technical details that came as a result of not receiving proper training, but this procedure went normally. The electronic device, where it worked, facilitated the work and made it possible to issue the minutes in automatic form in 97% of cases.
Regarding damaged ballot papers, cases were observed in 12% of polling stations.
Closing minutes are signed with agreement in 100% of cases, the same applies to sealing and closing the envelopes with the relevant materials. All committee members have received copies of the minutes, and even observers have received one. Only in 15% of polling stations was this report not provided to observers.
In 97% of the polling stations, the police officer accompanying the election materials and the car transporting them arrived on time, while in 99% of the polling stations these materials were accompanied by the chairman of the commission, the secretary and the police officer. The process is still ongoing in some of the EAZs for the submission of materials, while in more than 20 EAZs, the counting process has begun.
It is important to be understood by political parties, but also by the candidates, to maintain calm and not to create artificial overloaded and tense situations around the polling stations.
The legal framework and technology have enabled the increase of transparency, thanks to the good will of law enforcement, but also the proactive behavior of the CEC, especially the state commissioner. Also of the candidates, with the approval of the recent instruction and making it clearer that at the end of the counting process for electoral subjects, all subjects and candidates can receive film copies of this process to help increase transparency as well as for a more autonomous assessment of the votes counted.
The commissioners must be supported and understood for their great responsibility in translating the will of the voters, into real figures, and then into the mandates of future parliamentarians.