During her visit to Elbasan today, the US ambassador to Albania, Yuri Kim stated that it is now up to the CEC (Central Elections Commission) and the Prosecution Office to inspect the candidates for MP. She said that she wouldn’t be surprised if some of the candidates get disqualified.

The American diplomat emphasized that the US has held a clear stance by constantly calling on parties to comply with the law and not include people with criminal histories in their electoral lists. She also added that the majority has taken this into consideration but not all.

“Now it is up to the CEC and prosecutors to do the inspection and vetting of the candidates and after this process, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the candidates would be disqualified,” stated ambassador Kim.

The Ambassador added that the “final authority lays with the voters” referring to the electoral system, where apart from the parties, Albanians will also be able to vote for candidates.

Vote-buying was another issue discussed by the US Ambassador, during which he emphasized that this is punishable by law. She called on authorities to make it harder for those that want to try and do this.

“I have heard that vote-buying is a problem here in Elbasan, but not only. I would tell those that are attempting to buy votes that you are breaking the law and that you are committing a shame on your honor. For those, to whom vote-buying is offered to, I tell them that voting is your power, so don’t give it away. CEC will categorically enforce the prohibition of cellphones from voting stations. I ask authorities to make it harder, not easy on them,” added Ambassador Kim.

Apart from everything, ambassador Yuri Kim said that she is ultimately “confident that Albania will be able to hold free and honest elections”.