Remarks of U.S. Ambassador John L. Withers At the Ceremony for Accreditation of the Parallel Vote Tabulation Monitors (June 24, 2009)

Good Morning Everyone, Director Celibashi, Chairman Ristani, my dear friend Ambassador Bosch, and all the monitors who are here today, who have been accredited to take part in this great program. 

I’m delighted to be here to recognize two Albanian groups, KRIIK and ECA, who will carry out the first parallel vote count ever to be conducted in an Albanian parliamentary election.  The accreditation of these and other domestic monitors reflects well, not only on the group’s commitment to the principle of free and fair elections, but it also shows the openness of Albania’s election authorities to inspect every stage of the process.
The CEC deserves much credit for encouraging complete transparency in these elections and for its efforts so far to prepare Albania for this vote. I encourage the CEC to carry out its work in a professional, non-partisan manner.

Others have already said a great deal about the parallel count, but a few items are worth repeating to clarify any lingering misconceptions:

First, the parallel count will report results in tandem with the official count from all counting centers, and publicly disseminate those results in real-time, as results accumulate, throughout the counting process. 

The parallel count is not the official count - nor is it intended replace the official count.  Only the CEC has the legal authority to declare election winners.  The parallel count aims to hold the counting of votes under close scrutiny and double-check its accuracy, to reinforce public confidence in the results.  The double check mark on the monitor’s uniforms sums up the idea well. 

Second, this parallel count is financially supported by USAID.  However, the parallel count is not an American count.  It is an independent, unofficial reckoning of real votes cast by real Albanians.  The results should never be interpreted as “American results” representing the “American” view.  There is no such thing.

Third, the parallel count is a civic initiative, which the United States wholeheartedly supports. We do so because Albanians must be the arbiters of their own elections. 
When international observers have packed their bags and left, Albanian citizens remain to serve as guardians of electoral integrity.  It is Albania’s citizens whose actions as voters, candidates, commissioners, and observers, determine whether voters are free to express their will.  It is citizens who must rise above narrow interest in the election outcome to protect a process that lies at the heart of democracy’s vitality and dynamism.
As elections monitors, I believe that you understand the role that civil society must play in these elections.  You understand that public acceptance of results depends on a process seen as transparent, free, and fair. You understand that elections that fall short of meeting international standards for free and fair elections may hinder Albania’s Euro-Atlantic prospects.  As accredited count monitors, you’ve been entrusted by the Central Elections Commission to carry out your work with the utmost objectivity, professionalism, and accuracy.  I have confidence that you will rise to the occasion, that your successes will be appreciated and visible.  It is hard to miss those bright yellow uniforms!

So let me congratulate you on your readiness to serve as monitors in these elections. The American Government is proud to have supported this effort and wishes you success in your work. 

Lastly, let me say a few words to the Albanian voters who will take part on these elections on June 28th. I ask all of those voters on June 28 to exercise the most cherished of all civil rights: the right to vote.  I say to those voters: Do not be afraid to vote!
To be honest, we all know that the past Albanian elections have not met international standards.  As the newest NATO member, they must meet those standards.  The fraudulent practices of the past must not happen again. So, if someone asks to buy your vote, if someone pressures you to vote a certain way, if someone tries to intimidate you by threatening your job or your family’s well-being, if someone asks you to photograph your ballot so he can know how you voted, if someone tries to alter a passport or other ID in order to vote multiple times, if the police or other officials show bias in any way, if anyone tries to tamper with the ballot boxes or with the vote counting, please know that these act are illegal and report them to the monitors.  Please know that the international community, including the U.S. will be watching.

Those practices that I have described and others are the practices of the past; they have no place in today’s world or in today’s Albania.

So I say to the Albanian people: the vote is the sacred right of democracy - it is the privilege of freedom - let no one take it away from you. When you enter the polling station on June 28 remember: America is with you and America supports you. So vote in peace and in freedom and do not be afraid.

Thank you very much!

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