The Central Electoral Committee met today Friday (07.05.2024) and decided that Freddy Beleris loses his term as mayor of Heimarra.
Freddy Beleris was elected on May 14, 2023 as head of the municipality of Heimarra, but two days before the result he was arrested for buying votes. Himarra is now expected to go to new elections.
The commission’s chief commissioner, Ilirjan Celibashi, stressed that the commission does not favor anyone and that the decision was not made with the intention of harming anyone’s interests. Celibashi stressed that the KEE has the authority to cancel terms under the decriminalization law, the electoral code and the constitution.
Beleris’ lawyer, for his part, argued that KEE does not have the authority to cancel Beleris’ term of office, as he never served as mayor.
For his part, Celibashi said that the KEE has this authority, particularly in cases of candidates who have been convicted of criminal offences.
Under the Decriminalization Act, people convicted of certain crimes are barred from holding public office. As Beleris has been convicted of a criminal offence, the KEE ruled that his term as mayor is invalid.
The KEE’s decision has provoked reactions from the Democratic Party, which accuses the commission of bias.
It should be noted that Freddy Beleris had been transferred from the prisons to the committee building for the meeting and the announcement of the decision as he had expressed his desire to be “present” in the process.
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