The Election Observation Action for the 2019 Elections for Local Government Bodies
In line with its mission, aiming to strengthen the integrity of elections, KRIIK is following 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 several months. KRIIK’s stances on these developments have been made public in continuity through public statements.
KRIIK has 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. this monitoring is still being carried out.
Besides observing in continuity the contextual political and institutional elements, observation of the technical elements have also been observed, with focus 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 is being carried out with the financial support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Tirana. Thanks to this support, KRIIK has 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 will not engage short-term observers to monitor polling stations on Election Day. The findings from the observation will be made public through statements or open letters as well as through a Preliminary Statement, to be issued after the counting process has been concluded and a final report, to be issued approximately 60 days after Election day.
KRIIK is carrying out the election observation action in cooperation with nine local organizations with experience in election observation, which are providing 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.
Previous engagement
KRIIK has carried out initiatives aiming to improve integrity of elections since its establishment, by engaging its volunteers in election observation actions of other organizations. since 200, KRIIK has been part of common observation actions with several other domestic NGOs.
Since 2005, KRIIK has be one of the founding members, and later one of the leading organizations of the Coalition of Domestic Observers (CDO), the largest group of domestic organizations that have observed elections in Albania. In the frame of or in collaboration with the Coalition of Domestic Observers, KRIIK has observed all general, parliamentary or local, elections held in Albania from 2005 to 2017, as ell as most partial elections.
KRIIK, in collaboration with Elections to Conduct Agency (ECA) have realized, for the first time in Albania, a nationwide parallel vote count, for the Elections for the Assembly of Albania of 2009.
Besides election observation, KRIIK has undertaken a number of initiatives that aim to strengthen integrity of elections in Abania and follows on a permanent basis (not only during electoral periods) every political and institutional process that has the potential to affect the integrity of elections.
For more information on the activity of KRIIK in the frame of or in collaboration with the Coalition of Domestic Observers, refer to the webpage of CDO.