TIRANA, FEBRUARY 23, 2011     U.S. Ambassador Alexander A. Arvizu announced today that the U.S. Embassy in Tirana will be allocating nearly $360,000 in election related assistance to civil society.  The funds will be dedicated to the monitoring of Albanian local elections, which are scheduled for May 8, 2011.

At the ceremony today, attended by civil society and media representatives, the Ambassador noted the importance of exercising the right to vote “…The point is everyone has a vote and everyone’s vote counts just as much as everyone else’s and, for Albania to move forward, it is important to exercise your right to vote. It’s also important for those…who represent different political points of view to give the Albanian voters a choice so that they can make a choice. These elections are about Albania’s future.” 

The funding is coming from the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (PAS) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which have earmarked funds to assist a “domestic observer coalition.”  The coalition of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be monitoring the entire elections process.  The coalition will also provide voter education to the public.  

Appealing to the domestic election observation coalition of NGOs, the Ambassador said, “… I want to wish you the very best in your work and I ask that you take your duties as election observers seriously and with integrity. Your work will be very important in helping to ensure that these elections are successful and that they represent the will of the Albanian people.”

The Democracy Small Grants Program, administered by the Embassy’s Public Affairs Section (PAS), will cover approximately $160,000 of the total amount.  These funds will cover the cost of monitoring and voter education, as well as additional activities.  USAID will cover $200,000 to provide training for the elections observers as well as an international training advisor to work with local groups.