A senior elections expert began a three-day visit to Albania on 7 November as part of the OSCE Presence’s assistance to the electoral reform in the county, ahead of the June 2017 general elections. In the coming months, the Presence will provide technical expertise to the ad hoc parliamentary committee on electoral reform to improve legislation in line with recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Jessie Pilgrim, a senior election expert with wide experience in the electoral law and processes in Albania, has been contracted by the Presence, and over the next three days will meet with key actors in the election field to collect their views and proposals on potential changes to the electoral legislation. The actors include the co-chairs of the ad hoc committee, representatives of parliamentary and non-parliamentary parties, officials of the Central Election Commission and domestic observer groups.

Pilgrim will provide legal comments, in writing, once the ad hoc committee drafts amendments to the Electoral Code, in terms of their compliance with the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, as well as with OSCE commitments and international obligations.

The OSCE Presence’s assistance to the electoral reform in Albania is also financially supported by the Swiss Embassy.