Featured White Papers
Democracy tested as Albanians go to the polls
AFP, July, 2005
 | Content provided in partnership with |  |
TIRANA (AFP) — Albanians went to the polls in legislative elections seen as a crucial test for the former communist state's fledgling democracy, amid fears extremists from rival parties will reject the result.
A free and fair vote is essential for Albania's hopes of signing an accession accord with the European Union this year, a key step toward eventual membership possibly in 2014.
Some 2.8 million voters are eligible to elect 140 deputies, choosing from 1,253 candidates belonging to 27 parties and coalitions. The new parliament will name the prime minister, the head of the winning party.
Electoral commission spokesman Erton Sinani told AFP that voter turnout was about 32 percent by 1:30 pm (1130 GMT), five and a half hours before the polls were due to close.
Sinani said no incidents were reported at thousands of polling stations throughout the country.
"The situation in ...
