Albania holds partial local elections amid opposition boycott

TIRANA, Nov 17 – Albanian voters cast their ballots Sunday in five municipalities to elect new mayors, replacing those who left for higher office following the June parliamentary elections.
The Central Election Commission announced on Monday that the ruling Democratic Party swept majorities in all five municipalities. Turnout was around 30 percent.
The opposition Socialist Party boycotted these elections as it has done with the sessions of the new parliament coming out of the June 28 parliamentary poll.
They want an investigation on alleged manipulations in the June election in some areas asking for the opening of scores of ballot boxes.
Sunday’s vote was peaceful and fair.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party and the Socialist Movement for Integration of Vice Premier Ilir Meta were the main running candidates at the Sunday polls.