Thousands of non-resident voters travel to Albania to vote

TIRANA, June 23 – Thousands of Albanian citizens who live outside the country have returned home to vote, according to data from border check points and Albanian media reports. There have been long lines at the border with Greece, where hundreds of thousands of Albanian immigrants live. Their return influences the outcome of the votes in many areas of Albania that have sources of immigration for years. Political parties have provided free tickets for their voters to return home, according to interviews with those travelling home to vote. In addition, border check points with Kosovo indicate a larger number than usual of visitors to Albania. While many Kosovars typically travel to Albania to go to the beach on the weekend, a small part of the Kosovo population also holds dual citizenship and is eligible to vote. Albania allows non-resident citizens to vote as long as they can travel back to Albania to do so.