Press release

Statement from the US Ambassador on the June 15 Election re-runs

June 16, 2008

 

We note that the conduct of the June 15 re-run of Early Parliamentary elections was a substantial improvement over the June 1 elections.  The decision to broadly re-run elections in polling stations in which the June 1 elections were marked by fraud, intimidation and/or violence, together with the significantly improved security environment, offered voters an opportunity to freely express their democratic will.   We commend law enforcement authorities for their effective and professional conduct, and for their readiness to enforce the law, regarding acts of violence or intimidation near polling stations.

 

While the re-run voting was a substantial improvement over the June 1 balloting, we note that there were serious irregularities in a number of polling stations, including ballot stuffing, organized family and proxy voting, and failure to follow established procedures for conducting and counting the vote.  We call upon the government and the political parties to work together to address and correct those shortcomings in future elections.  The government must continue to vigorously investigate, prosecute and appropriately sanction those found to have perpetrated election fraud.  We hope that all political leaders will strive to conduct future elections that meet international standards and further the country’s EU and NATO integration aspirations.