DnV: Election fields quiet, but underawe of anti-mature measures - CO VID

The local Election Observation Mission “Democracy in Action”, through a news conference, today offered appreciation for the election campaign for local elections to be held tomorrow.

DnV focused on issues such as respect for measures against the spread of pandemic, programming bids and the way they unfold, candidacy and the costs of candidates of political subjects.

“Thirty days of election campaigning showed that the traditional way of campaigning with large gatherings has been overshadowed by digital campaigns. The digital transformation of thefushata undoubtedly imposed restrictive anti-communication measures - CO VID, but also the fact that platforms used to offer a much greater, more efficient and economic potential in achieving measures and voters. “platforms Facebook” and “Instagram” has been used massively by mayoral candidates and for those for municipal collections for breaking information, extending program offers, extending voter call activities. Although the vast majority of these posts were sponsored, transparency for the financial cost of digital campaigns accounts” was said at the conference.

They also stressed that the election campaign started with meetings with small citizens' groups, and with relatively satisfactory respect of anti- measures. - CO VID.

“However, respect for measures and restrictions for the number of participants in meetings was almost abandoned at all meetings organised in the last week of the campaign. In this escalation of the situation, even insufficient inspections and inspections of relevant institutions” have had an impact.

Various from past election campaigns, this time the unfolding of political programmes has been made since the beginning of the campaign, an element which candidates seem to have praised as competitive priorities in the race. Clear programming bids, a large part of which have been accessible to the public, have been a positive feature of this campaign for most candidates. Television debates have been organised with candidates for mayors of all Albanian municipalities, while debates have been lacking in Serb majority municipalities. Also, debates have taken place among the candidates for municipal municipalities, including holders of the lists, as well as in some cases with only female candidates for municipal municipalities. The form of organisation of television debates, with the participation of many candidates and discussion of different topics in a limited period of time, has not enabled smug elaboration of programmes by candidates or “to confront” of the conservative views between them”, the conference said.

DnV invited all citizens eligible to vote in the elections to vote on their local institutions for the next four years, making sure that voting is consistent with anti-sector measures. - CO VID.