TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Oerd Bylykbashi, co-chair of the Electoral Reform Commission, today called for the reform process to focus on implementing the recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), describing the establishment of a level playing field as the key to ensuring free and fair elections.
In his remarks, Bylykbashi stressed the need to prevent the use of public administration and state resources for electoral purposes, as well as to change the electoral system through the introduction of nationwide proportional representation and open lists.
Bylykbashi called for the Electoral Reform Commission to prioritise the implementation of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, stressing that ensuring a level playing field, preventing the misuse of state resources and public administration for electoral purposes, and imposing effective penalties for electoral violations are essential to guaranteeing free and fair elections.
Bylykbashi also stressed that a fundamental overhaul of the electoral system should be a priority, a demand long voiced by the opposition and more recently echoed by students and protesters.
“Albania needs an entirely new electoral system, in which parties are represented on the basis of nationwide proportional representation, with open lists allowing voters to choose which MPs represent them, and with as few barriers as possible for parties wishing to contest elections,” he added.
Bylykbashi called for open lists to be introduced for municipal council elections and said the Democratic Party would submit a comprehensive package of proposals and amendments aimed at separating the state from the ruling party, reforming electoral financing rules and preventing the misuse of public resources during both electoral and non-electoral periods.
He reaffirmed the Democratic Party’s commitment to placing OSCE/ODIHR recommendations at the centre of the reform process and addressing them through an inclusive, consensus-based approach, while accusing the Socialist Party of pursuing other priorities and paving the way for unilateral amendments to the Electoral Code.
/m.m/r.e/a.f/sm/
