Key points
- Albanians voted Sunday
- A total of 3.7 million voters, 140 seats at stake
- Around 40 parties contested in this proportional election
- Main contest is between Edi Rama and Sali Berisha
- First results expected on Tuesday
TIRANA, Albania: Albanians voted Sunday to decide whether to give Prime Minister Edi Rama a fourth term or side with his longstanding rival in an election seen as crucial for the country’s European Union ambitions.
A total of 3.7 million voters, 140 seats at stake, and around forty parties contested in this proportional election, which was dominated by the contest between Edi Rama, a socialist, and Sali Berisha from the right-wing Democratic Party.
They campaigned mainly on economic issues such as pensions, wages, infrastructure and tourism. But there were bitter exchanges too on the fight against corruption and organised crime, seen as essential requirements for Albania’s EU bid.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) put the turnout at 41.17 per cent, and CEC chief Ilirjan Celibashi said: “The election was generally conducted in line with the required norms and standards.”
First results
Briefing journalists in Tirana shortly after polling stations closed at 7:00 pm (1700 GMT), he said the first results were expected on Tuesday.
The election was generally conducted in line with the required norms and standards.” – Central Election Commission chief Ilirjan Celibashi
“We must remain calm and patient during the transparent, closely monitored vote count,” he added.
Berisha optimistic
Berisha however was already expressing “optimism” on Sunday evening, telling journalists: “These are the final hours of Edi Rama’s power.”
Rama’s Socialist Party called for everyone involved in the vote count to “keep calm” and “avoid provocations” and to “bring victory out of the ballot boxes, where the sovereign people have already sealed their historic decision”.
To prevent fraud, dark blue indelible ink was applied to voters’ thumbnails, and more than 2,000 foreign and local observers were deployed.
Since the fall of communism in the early 1990s, election results have routinely been contested by the losing side, often leading to fraud allegations.
The international community closely monitors this election as a test of Albania”s fragile institutions.
“Five cases of electoral crimes were reported to Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Crime and Corruption,” said CEC chief Celibashi.
Test of fragile institutions
The international community views the election as a test of the Balkan nation’s fragile institutions following the bitter campaign between Rama and fellow political veteran Sali Berisha.
This election faced an added challenge, with postal voting having been introduced to take account of the foreign diaspora.
According to estimates from CEC, out of nearly 246,000 Albanians living abroad who were registered to vote, approximately 192,000 ballots had already been received.
Anisa Bega, 25, was among the first in Tirana to cast her vote at 7:00 AM (05:00 GMT), filled with hope for a “better and safer future.”
Voters were choosing between different political parties and three coalitions, in a proportional vote following a campaign dominated by the rivalry between Rama and Berisha.
Rama, 60, has led the Socialist Party since 2005 and is seeking a fourth straight term as prime minister.
