TIRANA, June 17 – Allegations of electoral fraud and strong arming tactics have persisted in several Albanian municipalities as the electoral campaign for the June 21 local elections approaches its official end on Friday.
Following an investigation, the opposition has demanded that about 2,800 voters be removed from lists in the city of Durres, as they say an investigation the registrations were fraudulent and likely in favor of the incumbent Socialist mayor.
On the other hand, the Democrat incumbent mayor of the nearby town of Vora, is facing criminal charges for alleged vote buying, charges he and his party deny.
The most serious incident yet was registered this week when a gun was discharged at a campaign event in a part of the municipality of Kamza.
No one was hurt in the incident, which happened when Democratic Party incumbent mayor Xhelal Mziu faced an opponent’s supporter angry with the mayor. The man shot his gun into the ground and ran off in a vehicle, before Mziu’s bodyguards could get to him. Police have declared the man wanted.
Kamza is a poor Tirana suburb primarily settled by people who moved there over the past two decades from the country’s northern interior regions.
Mziu, who is under criminal investigation for mismanagement of official funds and has previously dodged accusations of sexually harassing a female employee of the city hall, is running against Safet Gjici, a security business owner who became wealthy in the troubled transition period and who owns the Kukes football club. He previously served as prefect of Kukes in northern Albania and was selected by Prime Minister Edi Rama to run in the municipality of Kamza even though he does not live in the area.
