Opposition wants faster work on electoral reform

TIRANA, June 22 – The main opposition Socialist Party has protested over the delay in work on new electoral reforms.
The socialists, together with governing Democratic Party have, since last April, sought to create a new electoral system, a regional proportional system that has stirred much opposition from smaller parties, fearing they will not be able to be seated in the next parliament.
Socialist Valentina Leskaj appealed to the Democrats to hurry to complete the reform by the end of this parliamentary session in July.
Delaying it until September would turn into an obstacle for next year’s general elections, she said.
Holding free and fair elections means resolving a previously contested voters’ register and identity cards.
Elections have always been problematic in post-communist Albania and a main issue of criticism from the international community.(Tirana Times Staff)