The integrity of elections in Albania as a duality between the law and their administration. Electoral management body in the circle of cause – effect for elections performance

Abstract

It is important to note that at the end of the election process there is a question laying before to all stakeholders: Did these elections meet the international standards of electoral integrity? Countries around the world have a challenge in common. They are challenged to meet international standards of electoral integrity. There are no standards met in elections if the main stakeholders fail to be successful in their commitments or fail to commit themselves in meeting their responsibilities. Especially if the body which is in charge of administering the election process, such as the Central Election Commission, faces challenges to act in full “engine”, the probability to fail is higher. Albania held in June 2013, general political elections under the new proportional – closed list system, being implemented for the second time following June 2009 elections. The Central Election Commission was reformulated following extensive amendments to the Electoral Code. Was this Body capable to keep in consideration the constitutional right/universal right of people to vote periodically in order to elect their representatives freely, without interference? What is important to note, is that despite challenges, the body in charge of the administration of the voting process showed integrity and willingness to respect the law and universal suffrage rights, answering to the key question: Did these elections met the international standards of electoral integrity?