Referring to Article 28 of the DCM No. 473 dated 1.06.2017 “On taking measures and monitoring the activity, behaviour or use of state administration human, financial and logistic resources during the election process for the 2017 Assembly Elections in Albania”, the Task Force communicates with the public on the issues discussed and the measures taken at its meeting of 21 June 2017.
The fourth meeting of the Task Force (cross-institutional group) put in place by Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 473 dated 1.06.2017, was held today. The Task Force discussed the agenda sent to members and attendees. The meeting was attended also by representatives from various international organizations, to whom gratitude is as always extended for their participation and interest, and whom are welcomed to every meeting.
The first item on the agenda discussed, was the information required by the miniseries, their dependant institutions, prefectures, municipalities and public entities, or government-owned or state-controlled companies. It was found that the submitted information was not properly consolidated in order for the Task Force secretariat to process it in a quick time.
Under these circumstances, institutions were urged one again to take immediate measures in order to submit the information as requested. As a consequence, this item will be reviewed in the next meeting of 23.06.2017.
At the same time, the Department of the Public Administration and the Commissioner for the Oversight of the Civil Service were required, according to their field of competence, to monitor and take disciplinary measures in cases when civil servants do not fulfil their duty for an accurate reporting referred to the above-mentioned DCM. Meanwhile, ministers are also asked to refer such cases or to take measures directly when they are themselves competent.
With regard to the second item of the agenda, given the reports of the Minister of Interior, no problems have emerged with regard to the lists of the voters, which have been updated with the names of the voters who will reach the voting age until Election Day (including this day).
The Ombudsman raised the concerned about 900 convicted people who cannot vote because their IDs are kept in police stations or attorney’s offices, and some of them cannot be provided with an ID because they cannot pay for them. About this last category of convicted people, measures have been taken to have the application fee paid on their behalf from the state budget, but a more detailed report will be given in the next meeting.
With regard to the third item, the Director of the General Directorate of the Prevention of Money Laundry reported that no withdrawal of money from second-level banks has been observed during May 2017 outside the trends of the previous years, and from the analysis performed by this directorate, there is no reason to believe that money is being used illegally during the campaign. However, the situation will be constantly monitored, taking also into account that Election Day is approaching. Shall there be any important information, such directorate is required to report to the law-enforcement bodies and to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
With regard to the fourth item on the agenda, the Commissioner for the Oversight of the Civil Service reported some cases of violation by civil servants. Approximately 100 employees have been absent from work without a valid reason so far. Each of these cases is being verified to assess whether these unjustified absences are due to involvement of the civil servants in the election campaign. The information is still being processed.
If any cases of violation are found, disciplinary measures will be taken or criminal proceeding will be initiated, as appropriate.
With regard to the fifth item, the DPA Director reported that 14 cases of violation have been found and addressed for disciplinary proceeding. Such cases are being followed up. Also, 24 civil servants have been suspended from duty because they have stood for elections.
With regard to item six of the agenda on some concerns addressed by the Minister of Education and Sport to the Department of Public Administration, they will be discussed in the next meeting because information is still being processed.
As per the seventh item on the agenda, the public prosecutor’s office was supposed to submit information about reports or proceedings that affect the system of free elections, and the status of each of them, but there were no discussions in this regard as no such information is expected to be submitted. Under these circumstances, the Prosecutor’s Office was extended officially once again the invitation to submit such information as soon as possible.
With regard to the eighth item on the agenda, the Commissioner for the Oversight of the Civil Service reported that based on the information available, no cases of delay were found with regard to the issuance of permits to civil servants who have applied to serve as commissioners.
As per item nine, it was explained that to date no delays have been found with regard to the issuance of permits to state administration employees who have applied to serve as commissioners. Nevertheless, the CEC is invited to report to the Task Force such cases, shall any of them be found.
Finally, the CEC was invited and the ministries were assigned the task to submit information about the register of complains for violations in view of the elections, showing the way such complains have been dealt with, and the relevant outcomes.
