In the look of 2,000 domestic and international observers, 5,000 police officers and the SPAK Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) as it is considered a critical test for the fragile institutions of the neighboring country by 2030.
However, once again there were no incidents with arrests of violations of electoral law, clashes in constituencies, and complaints on both voting, blackmail and bullying practices against citizens. Election observers find it almost certain that whatever the end result, which is expected to be officially announced on Tuesday, will be challenged in any case and there will be complaints about fraud, as is the case in all the latest elections.
Arrests and clashes
Democratic party candidate Elda Hotti reacted after her husband’s arrest of offenses related to the electoral process. “No political police, no criminal structure and no spokesman for organized crime will be able to stop the citizens’ will for change. The days of bullying, construction and the suppression of the voice of the opposition are coming to an end, “the candidate said with his party in a statement published in the local media. Another Democratic Party candidate complained that there were armed groups trying to intimidate the citizens in Lusnia, an area in which the electoral representatives of the two major Albanian parties were caught in their hands and needed police intervention.
“Problems with letter votes from Greece”
After a strongly divisive pre -election period, ballot boxes have been set up in 5,225 polls across the country with a total of 3,713,761 Albanian citizens, of whom 114,642 are young and vote for the first time. A total of 11 political formations, three coalitions and eight parties claim the citizens’ vote with 2,046 candidates, of which 1,259 are men (61.53%) and 787 are women (38.47%), for 140 seats. For the next parliament, to occupy 140 seats. For the first time in the elections, the Albanians of the Diaspora participate with a letter. According to the Central Election Commission, almost 246,000 Albanians living abroad are registered to vote. According to local media, “there have been problems with the mission or return of immigrant dossiers, mainly in Greece”.
In several Tirana polling stations, voting is done electronically and elderly citizens with problems with the system handling the system accept the instructions and assistance from representatives of the Central Election Committee.
“Disappointment…”
Despite the intense political confrontation that marked the pre -election period, there are many who feel frustrated as trust in institutions and politics is particularly low.
“No one is voting with … joy whatever party he chooses. Everyone is the same. We are all fooling us and looking at their interests. Life has become very difficult now. No one can fool us with fairy tales. We no longer trust them. If I were younger I would leave the country, ”Ilir, 62, said in a retired police officer. “It’s not as they want to present the situation in the country. If you are young and want to start your life here without having any other financial help it is certain that you cannot cope. The houses are now expensive and the cost of living so high as we are in a European capital. Those of us who had a help from our parents are lucky. What will the younger ones do? I wonder, ”said 36 -year -old Eron, the father of three children.
Ramp – Berisha, two “veteran” political opponents
The 60 -year -old has been leading the Socialist Party for 20 years and seeking the fourth consecutive term as prime minister. He starred in the mobilizations of students who opposed the communist regime, served as mayor of Tirana and Minister of Culture before being elected prime minister for the first time in 2013. His main commitment is to secure the country’s accession to the European Union by 2030. He denies the accusations and states that “he will retire from political life if he proves to be his relationship with corruption or criminal groups”.
The 80 -year -old was the first post -communist president of Albania. Following in the footsteps of US President Donald Trump, Berisha promises a “great Albania” focusing on economic recovery. Berisha, who has been declared “Persona Non Grata” by the United States and Britain for his alleged ties with organized crime and corruption, is under judicial investigation into Albania for “passive corruption by a high -ranking official”.
After the exercise of their electoral right in Tirana, the two gladiators went to their parties’ offices to attend the electoral process.
Diminished participation
According to figures announced by the Central Election Commission, according to figures received by 50%of the electoral departments, elections until noon was recorded was 26.55%, declining compared to the 2021 parliamentary elections, where it was 31.52%.
