Albanians go to the polls
Albanians today cast ballots in a key test of its post-Communist institutions, but local observers raised some concerns over voting procedures in rural areas.
The vote is seen as a crucial step in the nation’s push to join Nato and build closer ties with the European Union.
Albanian President Alfred Moisiu appealed to political parties to exercise restraint and avoid making any announcements before polls close.
“That could damage the counting process and consequently the elections’ final result,” Moisiu said in a statement.
Local monitors said they were investigating reports of voting without identification documents, mainly in rural areas, as well as multiple voting and voting in groups reported by midday, monitor Pjerin Marku said.
The observers appealed to political parties not to raise tensions.
The main contenders in today’s election are Socialist Prime Minister Fatos Nano and former president Sali Berisha, the Democratic Party leader. Both men say they would resign if defeated.
Recent polls suggest they are neck-and-neck and would need a coalition to form a government.
Former Prime Minister Ilir Meta, who broke away from the Socialists last year, could hold the key third place.
Around 2.8 million Albanians are eligible to vote – choosing among 22 political parties and coalitions running for the 140-seat parliament.
Polls opened at 7am (5am Irish time) and were to close 12 hours later. Local television station TV Klan is scheduled to release the only exit poll – by the Kosovo-based Gani Bobi organisation.
Official results are expected tomorrow night.
Erton Sinani, a spokesman of the Central Election Commission, said elections were being held “calmly and normally”, and that five polling stations had opened late.
Previous elections in Albania – which was sealed off from the world during decades of Communist rule – have been plagued by fraud and irregularities. Losers have never conceded defeat, badly stalling development in this country of 3.2 million people, among Europe’s poorest.
This time, both Nato and the European Union have warned Albanian authorities that only free and fair elections will further the Balkan country’s bid for membership.
“This vote will not bring about any great difference to my life,” said Dasantila Bejko, a 35-year-old economist. ”But it ought to make a difference for the poor, no matter who comes to power.”
Albanian police chief Bajram Ibraj said 6,350 police officers were deployed at the 4,763 polling stations to prevent clashes between rival supporters and protect ballot boxes.
The vote is being monitored by about 500 international observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe and a European network of non-governmental organisations. About 4,000 local monitors will also take part.
