The State Election Commissioner Mr. Ilirjan Celibashi participated in the National Conference  “Democracy Costs II; Money in politics and Electoral Integrity”, organized by the Coalition for Reforms, Integration and Consolidated Institutions (KRIIK). Below the full speech of the Commissioner.

Mrs.Yuri KIM, US Ambassador to Albania, Mr.Duncan NORMAN, British Ambassador and representatives of institutions, political parties and civil society attended the conference.

The goal of the conference was to bring again to the attention and addressing the shortcomings and the issues related to the transparency and effective supervision of the finances of the parties and the election campaign, as one of the most important aspects, with the greatest impact on the election integrity.

In his speech, Mr. Celibashi stated that “It  is clear that the issue of the relation of money with politics is always at the focus of debate of politics, media and civil society. 

The debate regarding the role of money in politics and their relation is important, because there is a huge concern on part of the citizens and the public opinion in this regard, and this huge concern is a legitimate concern. It is legitimate because the relation between money and politics can make the politicians more accountable towards their financial contributers and supporters rather than the voters”.

The Commissioner mentioned the role of the civil society and the media in monitoring of the way how money circulates within and outside the political system, especially in the cases when money comes from criminal activities that sponsor the politics.

Celibashi appealed to the civil society, media and responsible institutions, to actively engaged in an awareness campaign, to make the voters aware of the consequences of vote buying.