The State Commissioner of Elections, Ilirjan Celibashi, was asked how to proceed with the continuation of the mandate of the elected mayor Fredi Beleri, who is in prison under the charge of buying votes.
Celibashi emphasized in a television interview that the CEC gave the mandate to Beleri since there was no complaint about the election process in Himare. The Chief Commissioner added that the only scenario for Beleri to lose his mandate is if he is sentenced by a final decision by the court.
The head of the CEC emphasized that Beleri must take the oath before the Municipal Council within 3 months, but chose not to comment on what would happen if he does not take such a process.
"As far as I know, this is not the first case, if I'm not mistaken. There was a similar case in Tropoja with the elections either for a candidate for deputy or for mayor in 2002. The case is unusual when a candidate for mayor of a municipality is elected when he is under the security measure "Arrest with prison". What is important to say is that as long as there is no final decision, he takes the mandate of the municipality of Himara. The deadline within which Beleri must perform the oath is 3 months, if I'm not mistaken. However, everything depends on the progress of the investigative process, which belongs exclusively to the prosecution and the competent court. It is a little early to talk about what will happen in different situations. If the position of the mayor for one reason or another remains empty, then new elections are held in that municipality. He must confirm the oath in court, but as a process he will have to go before the Municipal Council. The situation of "Arrest" with imprisonment is a circumstance that creates obstacles for the exercise of activities for officials who exercise public functions".said Celibashi.