Unusual high number of new tenant registrations aims to skew vote in favor of incumbent Socialist mayors, the Democrats charged
TIRANA, June 4 – Prosecutors are probing in potential voter list fraud, after allegations of improper conduct in at least two municipalities were made by the main opposition Democratic Party.
The eastern cities of Durres and Kavaja have seen an unusual increase in registrations of new residents in recent weeks, leading to fears political parties were trying to win what are expected to be tight races by registering new voters who do not live in the municipality.
In Durres, according to data supplied by the opposition, there are close to 2,900 new residents within a short period of time, mainly in the second half of April.
They have registered as new tenants in facilities provided by the municipality or even in a building that, according to the opposition, is still under construction.
The opposition filed charges on the case and the Central Election Commission also requested an investigation, leading prosecutors to act.
Similar charges have been made for Kavaja, where 600 new residents registered in the past two week, an unusually high number, the opposition says.
It charged that at least 195 of these had tenant agreements with incumbent Socialist Mayor Elvis Roshi, who is running for another term.
The lease contracts are for a ruined factory, the opposition said.
The Central Election Commission asked the prosecution to investigate this case as well.
