Publication | Report/Paper

Republic of Albania: A Technical Assessment of the Election of the Peoples Assembly, March 9 - April 2, 1992

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  

The Albanian General Election for the People's Assembly held on March 22, 1992, heralded the country's long overdue emergence into the European and world communities. As the last of the European communist   countries to begin the process of liberalization, the election also   marked a moment of special historic significance. The world watched   as the last vestiges of one of Europe's most brutal and repressive   regimes was overthrown without violence or chaos, but through the democratic process.  

 

With a less than successful attempt at a free and fair multi-party election only one year earlier, and a history which justifiably   warranted cautious enthusiasm for the prospects of this election, the   mission of the team (consisting of Linda Edgeworth, Election   Consultant, and Fabricio Soares, Project Manager) sent by the   International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) was to escort   and oversee installation of election commodities donated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and to provide technical   assistance to the newly formed Central Election Commission.  

 

Commodities and equipment including computers, printers, photocopiers,   fax machines, typewriters, stamp pads and paper were provided to   Albania through IFES and the U. S. Information Agency Regional Program   Office in Vienna. The equipment and commodities provided by the U.S. proved critical for the proper administration of the election by the   Central Electoral Commission and the Council of Ministers Secretariat as much of the other equipment intended for use during the election   was not in place on election day. 

 

IFES joined forces with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP)   mission in Tirana to provide technical advice on distribution of  election commodities and ballot security. Well before election day,   IFES enjoyed good access to the Central Electoral Commission and was   able to observe the most sensitive aspects of the electoral process.

 

On election day, IFES and UNDP fielded a joint team to observe   elections near the northern border of Albania. Though some minor   inconsistencies in the administration of the law were apparent, no   organized attempt to defraud the process was encountered during the   first round of voting. A second IFES-UNDP team travelled to the South   of Albania to observe the second round of elections and also reported   no significant irregularities.  

 

The people of Albania are to be commended for the success in holding   free, fair and peaceful elections to the People's Assembly in this   difficult transitional environment.  

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