10/12/2024
On 10 December 2024, the Venice Commission in collaboration with the Central Election Commission of Albania, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’ s project “Strengthening Elections’ Integrity in Albania (SEI)”, and the OSCE Presence in Albania, co-organised a Conference on the topic of the “Depoliticization of electoral administration - the Need for Professional Electoral Workers”. The Conference brought together over 50 participants, including representatives from the CEC, political parties, and civil society organisations. Mr. Saša Zagorc, Substitute member in respect of Slovenia and Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Ljubljana, represented the Venice Commission at this event and delivered insights on international standards and good practices.
The Conference provided a crucial platform to discuss practical aspects related to the implementation of the legal framework ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for 11 May 2025. Key discussions focused on the international standards prescribing the impartiality, independence, and professionalism of the election administration, as well as on comparative good practices on these matters and on-going developments in Albania. The event also provided a platform to recall the recommendations from international election observation missions in Albania and to take stock of the most recent legal developments related to the conduct of elections in the country.