Albania has 132 political parties, most without an address, in 2023 they received 3.3 million euros

2024-05-22 07:26:00, Aktualitet CNA

Albania has 132 political parties, most without an address, in 2023 they

Most of the political parties in the country do not have correct addresses and therefore, they never become part of the audits planned by the experts appointed by the Central Election Commission.

In the annual report of this institution, it is underlined that in 2023, 9 licensed experts were appointed to perform these audits.

"The State Commissioner of Elections, with decision no. 544, dated 22.5.2023, "On the selection of licensed accounting experts (legal auditors) for the audit of funds received and spent by political parties for the calendar year 2022", appointed 9 licensed accounting experts (legal auditors) for the audit of 132 political parties registered in the register of the Tirana Judicial District Court.

From the reports submitted by the legal auditors for 84 political parties, the audit was not carried out, due to incorrect addresses, or because the parties, even though they received the notification for the start of the audit process, did not get in touch with the legal auditors," the report states. .

The CEC also informs that the audit was not carried out for 4 political parties, as they have a passive status in terms of tax legislation.

"The Central Election Commission, after the verifications carried out from the reports submitted by the political parties themselves, as well as from the reports submitted by the legal auditors, is in the process of taking administrative measures for the political parties," the report underlines.

Regarding the financial support that the parties receive, the report of the CEC reveals that in 2023 it was 345.6 million ALL or about 3.3 million euros.

This amount was benefited by a total of 11 parties, led by the Socialist Party and then the Democratic Party, followed by the Party for Justice, Integration and Unity, the Union Party for Human Rights, and finally, Nisma Thurje.

Financing of election campaigns

The CEC admits in the report that one of the elements that needs attention is the improvement of the rules for the financing of election campaigns, as well as the adoption of some rules related to elements such as: Campaign development in online media; b. Development of the campaign on the Internet and in social networks; c. The so-called "Financing of third parties" and the development of the campaign by these entities.

"Political parties that were not registered in the last 2 elections and that were not financed by the state budget should not be audited. In most cases, political parties do not know their address. While the CEC engages human and financial resources for their audit.

Parties that have not received any mandate in the last 3 elections must submit a list of supporters. In the meantime, the CEC commits to carry out the procedures defined in the law for their registration.

It is proposed that they present the signatures at the moment they submit their application for registration in the election," the CEC underlines.

The latter brings to attention that there is a discrepancy regarding the value of donations that must be made public in the law on political parties and the Electoral Code.

It is also seen that part XIII of the Electoral Code "Responsibilities and Sanctions" should be revised. Sanctions are disproportionate to the violation.

There are serious violations while the code does not provide for an administrative sanction or the provided sanction is negligible./ Monitor magazine