April 28, 2021, 22:15 pm – KRIIK notes with concern that political actors and election administrators at the second level are not paying attention to the counting of preferred votes for candidates.
This runs counter to the main motive for unilaterally amending the Constitution last year, the right of citizens to choose their preferred candidates other than the political party.
The correct reading of the civic will, in the expression of the preferred vote is an integral part of the electoral process and cannot be treated as of secondary importance, beyond the political conjunctures.
At this moment, until the full completion of the electoral process, political parties must be in good function of administering the process, in all its elements.
In this regard, the greatest weight of responsibility falls on the majority, which has a dual responsibility as a political force in power and as a force designed to govern continuously, as well as on the institution of the President of the Republic; who must show prudence and avoid any political statement. The majority and the President of the Republic must return to communication and institutional relations and seriously fulfill the functions for which the Albanian citizens have mandated them.
Any aggravation of political rhetoric or polarization of the situation, whether political or institutional, at the moment does nothing but stain the electoral process and displace the attention of the governing body and observers of the electoral subjects present at the polling stations, who are influenced by the political and institutional climate.
The primary task of election administrators at the moment is to complete the electoral process in all its elements. The administrators of the process at the second level, whether these commissioners or members of the ballot counting teams, have taken on a very serious and important function and responsibility, which they must fulfill by respecting the law fourfold and to the end.
Equally worrying, KRIIK considers reckless statements regarding the non-recognition of the election result, while the process is still ongoing.
All electoral subjects have the right to have respective claims and disputes over the process, but we bring to their attention that it is essential, not only for this process, but for the problematic experience we have and for the democratic future and the institutional approach, to be followed. legal and institutional way, channeling claims and complaints of all kinds to the competent institutions, in accordance with the legal framework, investing and using all available legal and institutional instruments. Until this moment, there is no appeal request at the CEC.
Relevant institutions, meanwhile, must act quickly, with maximum seriousness and law enforcement in compliance with the spirit and letter of the law, to treat, evaluate and follow up seriously and with maximum priority the possible requests or complaints.
No less important remains the observance of restrictive measures against the pandemic. It is noted with concern that the behavior in the polling stations, or in the public appearances of political actors these days have been completely in violation of the established measures.
Particularly worrying was yesterday’s rally of the Socialist Party, during which the established measures were totally violated, measures in the name of which Albanian citizens continue to be punished with administrative measures.
Progress of the Counting Process
In general, the process of counting the votes of the candidates is proceeding at a fast and smooth pace.
Following yesterday’s instruction by the State Election Commissioner to stop the overnight counting and its resumption at 09:00 a.m. today, most polling stations were closed overnight.
The timetable for resuming the count this morning was not adhered to at most VCTs, however they all resumed the count, at 13:30 at the latest. It was noted that, in a considerable part of the cases, the reason was the delay of the members of the vote counting groups determined by the DP or SMI.
KRIIK appreciates the resumption of the process with the presence of full membership of the ballot counting groups, as required by law, and urges the political forces to fulfill their obligations to the electoral process until its conclusion.
Although the process of counting the candidates during today has started late in most of the CEAZs, not respecting the instruction of the Commissioner, who provided that the counting of votes for the candidates, to resume today, the 28th. April 2021, at 9:00 p.m.
The presence at the polling stations of a significant number of individuals, who do not keep their identification documents in a visible place, as required by the procedures, which makes it difficult to identify them, as well as the gathering of supporters of parties or candidates near BCCs, although to a lesser extent than during the counting of votes for electoral subjects.
Also problematic remains non-compliance with physical distancing measures, wearing masks, non-hygiene of VCT facilities, or non-compliance with other health protocols.
Problems with the progress of the counting process:
During today, the number of completed CEAZs has reached 57, while the process in the regions of Kukës, Dibër, Gjirokastër and Vlora has been completely completed.