Albania says polls free of incidents, best ever

TIRANA, June 30 – Albania held parliamentary elections that were free of incidents that could threaten the tiny country’s bid to join the European Union, officials said Monday.
“The voting and counting process has, so far, been free of incidents,” Central Election Commission spokesman Leonard Olli said.
“The elections proceeded better than any other election we ever had,” Sali Berisha, 64, the dominant post-communist leader, said shortly after voting ended. “There have been a few small problems, but no major ones.”
Socialist opposition leader, Edi Rama, 44, cautiously approved the ballot, telling a news conference: “Despite a series of irregularities and unpleasing details in various parts of the territory of Albania, in general the objective of guaranteeing the process was realized. ŠThere are no losers in this election because European Albania has won.”
Albania was under intense international pressure to make sure the vote was fair and free of the reports of fraud that have marred previous elections. Albania became a NATO member on April 1 and is seeking to join the 27-nation EU.
About 500 election observers planned to present a preliminary report Monday.
Some 4,300 candidates representing 34 political parties are vying for the 140 seats in Parliament.