Elections at a commune turn into a political tool

TIRANA, Oct. 25 – A few thousands residents of the Mokra commune on Sunday cast their ballots for the head of the commune.
The candidate of the governing coalition Democratic party _ Socialist Movement for Integration won in a contest with the main opposition Socialist party candidate.
The elections were held after the former head was arrested earlier this year.
The governing Democrats considered the polls as a show of their victory in the next year’s local elections expected to be held in May.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha greeted Mokra voters and said the ruling majority and the coalition won the vote of confidence there, an evidence of a growing trust in the coalition for integration.
In an appeal to the Socialist Party leader Edi Rama to accept this election result, the prime minister pledged the majority will constantly make its contribution for Albania holding free and fair elections.
The opposition Socialists are contesting some results of last year’s parliamentary polls saying there had been manipulation in the vote count. They want a partial recount, which is turned down by the governing coalition saying that would violate the law.
The Socialists have hinted that without the vote transparency of the last year’s elections they cannot take part in any other voting.