By Eglantina Nasi
Lots of novelties, but also lots of déjà vu-s. This may be the conclusion that may be drawn for the 25 June 2017 general parliamentary elections. A campaign, which in fact lasted less than previous ones, as the main sides decided to initiate it thanks to a last minute agreement, following months of political conflict. So, we could say that their preparations started later than other times. We must recall that the Democratic Party started to open its electoral offices throughout the country after the Socialist Party or the Socialist Movement for Integration had already started such process. In this aspect, we can say that this was the shortest campaign, also due to the fact that a month and a half ago, Albanians did not yet know when the elections would be held, because even 18 June 2017, which had been decided beforehand, saw a one week delay, thanks to the negotiations held between the two main political sides in the country. However, whatever the circumstances that led to this situation, Albanians officially started the 2017 election campaign, which this time directly followed the election of the new president of the country by Parliament. The debate that surrounded this election was also an extra burden for the political climate that preceded it.
A campaign which this time would be without flags and electoral posts distributed throughout the country. This sort of novelty had never been applied before and made it more special than the others. But at the same time, it also made it less expensive, if we take into account the fact that the two main parties in the country spent 29 million lek in the previous elections of 2013 on them (the Socialist party spent 15 million and the Democratic Party spent 14 million). Let us recall that it was the Central Election Commission, which announced a decision on 31 May 2017 according to which flags, banners or other propaganda materials would be displayed up to 5 meters from the electoral offices. CEC also decided to reduce the number of electoral offices compared to the past.
All of this picture concerns the preparations for the 2017 election campaign, while the holding of the campaign seems t to have been accompanied by ordinary elements that accompany an election campaign such as the strong language between the sides, although this time it was also focused within the left wing and the two heads of the governing majority, an element which is quite unusual during a campaign. The campaign was also accompanied with rigorous control over the public administration on a national level, in order for employees not to be involved in election activities.
DIFFERENCE
A campaign without flags, posters or other propaganda materials, but at the same time, associated with a verbal debate between political leaders from one square of the country to another.
2
Thousand was the number of electoral rallies communicated by police up until a few days ago, held by different political forces as part of the campaign for the 25 June 2017 elections
29
Million lek have been spent in total by the Socialist Party (15 million) and the Democratic Party (14 million) in the last campaign for flags and posters, a cost which was zero during this campaign, as they were not permitted
Electoral violations reported, sale of votes and violence
This election campaign has also been associated with electoral violations, reported by police and online platforms. So, police have reported a few days ago that they are investigating over 14 criminal acts or cases suspected as criminal acts, which affect free elections. These acts included obstructions for political parties, active corruption in the elections, but also intimidation and physical aggression against participants in these elections.
“One particular concern relates to the fact that different political parties have displayed propaganda materials in violation of the law”, declared Police official, Altin Qato. Meanwhile, “Za’Lart 2017” online platform has reported tens of electoral violations, where the most frequent ones relate to the use of public administration in the campaign, but also other violations in attempts to buy or sell the vote.
FOREIGNERS
The influence of the international community couldn’t be avoided even during the campaign, although it must be said that it wasn’t displayed through the direct presence of foreign personalities in electoral activities, as it has happened before, but other elements have been chosen, this time less visible, but which are expected to have an impact on the voters. So, this is the reason why the Democratic Party has often publicly declared that its program has been drafted with the assistance of the German CDU. Or even the meeting of its leader with the US President, Donald Trump. On the other hand, the Socialist Party has used a recent interview of the Turkish President, Recep Tayiip Erdogan, during which he said that Edi Rama was a guarantee for further investments.
Police: Over two thousand rallies nationwide
Over two thousand electoral meetings held by different political parties. This was the figure published by State Police a few days ago in relation to the progress of the 25 June 2017 election campaign.
“Referring to the information published from 26 May to 18 June, police have been engaged to guarantee order in 2.049 electoral activities, by mobilizing 9.443 police officers with 19.600 service hours, 1.836 cars, while no incidents have been registered during these activities”, police said in an official statement. Meanwhile, yesterday all electoral activities were concluded through respective rallies, in order to give way to electoral silence, in compliance with the Electoral Code. This will further give way to the training of 7 thousand and 40 police officers for the tasks that they will be carrying out during the election campaign, in securing 5.362 polling stations all over the country and 90 regional ballot counting.
