Paragraph 12

 

One amendment attempts to address interference in election processes by introducing a new Article 111. This amendment prohibits the unlawful interference “by legal entities, officials of state bodies or municipalities and other natural persons” in the work of the election commissions and the election processes. The OSCE/ODIHR Final Report on the 6 November 2005 Parliamentary Elections noted several instances of such interference, and the first recommendation in the report is that the problem of interference be addressed. This amendment, if effectively implemented, could improve the administration of election processes. However, as noted by the OSCE/ODIHR report, two Presidential decrees and other legal provisions prohibiting such interference were not effectively enforced by authorities. Thus, the extent to which this amendment will address past irregularities is dependent upon its good faith implementation by authorities. Nevertheless, the amendment is a positive addition to the Electoral Code.