The implementation of electronic voting and counting in the upcoming elections, a request which is accepted by both political parties in Albania, receives also the support of the OSCE Ambassador in Tirana, Bernd Borchardt.

But speaking in an interview for Tv Klan, ambassador Borchardt doesn’t seem very optimistic about this new initiative.

“Electronic counting, from our point of view, is not so problematic; it is even commendable, as it may reduce the politicization. So the electronic counting would be supported by us. Electronic voting is a more slightly complicated matter. First, to establish electronic voting, the decision should be taken as soon as possible, since one of our earliest recommendations is for technology to be tested, and the upcoming elections are just over a year away, so there is no time to waste.

Prior to that, feasibility studies, procurement processes need to be done, voters should be trained, people trained in polling stations, testing, equipment to be calibrated. All these are something new, so they take time. Even if testing is done, let’s just say in two municipalities. The advantages of electronic voting and especially electronic voter identification are taken, but of course it depends on technology and technology might fail. Therefore, there must be a guarantee that this technology will not fail on the election day”

./tvklan.al