Reflection on Legal Issues and Approach of Political Bodies toward Central Election Commission in Albania

The electoral legislation regarding the Albanian Central Election Commission (CEC) has been subject to changes on the eve of every election. CEC as a constitutional institution where the contribution of the political representation principle was minimal resulted in a legislative product that did not correspond to the level of democratic development of the Albanian political parties. The entire process of development of the Albanian electoral legislation, in establishing CEC, has been prevailed by the implementation of the principle of political representation and bipartisan balance. The attitude of political parties toward CEC has been motivated by their electoral interests. Political pressure on this institution has produced unconstitutional interventions. The establishment and operation of CEC as an independent institution and politically neutral according to the principles of public adminiatration is an option that should be considered by the Albanian legislative body. Political parties can be represented in this institution by deploing ex-officio members or observers.