Albania’s CEC withdraws membership from European Organization of Election Officials as a result of non-explusion of Russian and Belarusian CECs

10/03/2022 | News

The Central Election Commission has been part of ACEEEO – the Organization of European Election Officers since its establishment, which consists of the CECs of 25 European countries, as well as a number of other bodies that administer elections in the respective countries. The CEC of Albania, having twice held the annual presidency of ACEEEO, enjoys the status of a permanent member of the General Assembly, the governing body of the entire organization.

The ACEEEO General Assembly after an extraordinary online meeting paved the way for voting to expel the CEC’s of Russia and Belarus, as a result of their aggression in Ukraine. The voting took place on March 4, 2022. In contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Europe, the CEC voted PRO for the expulsion of the CECs of Russia and Belarus. Due to lack of quorum, expulsion was not possible.

Meanwhile, some members of this organization, such as the CEC of Slovenia, Croatia, Poland and others, immediately announced in writing their withdrawal from membership in ACEEEO. On behalf of the CEC of Albania on March 9, 2022, I announced in writing the immediate termination of Albania’s membership in ACEEEO as I assess that the CEC of Albania has no reason to continue to be a member of this organization, which does not represent the values on which it was created and seems to be heading towards dissolution even formally.

The political and social systems of Russia and Belarus cannot have impartial, independent and free electoral administration institutions. CEC Kosovo will also leave this organization. Meanwhile, I express to the CEC of Ukraine all my solidarity and support of the institution I represent and of every Albanian citizen, in these extremely difficult days for their country.

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NewsAlbania’s CEC withdraws membership from European Organization of Election Officials as a result of non-explusion of Russian and Belarusian CECs