Albania holds crucial general elections amidst political competition

Albania’s voters cast ballots on Sunday in the country’s 11th general elections since the fall of communism in 1991, Anadolu Agency reported. Polling began at 7 am local time and closed at 7 pm, with over 3.71 million registered voters eligible to participate.

Fifty-three political parties and three pre-election coalitions are competing for 140 parliamentary seats. The ruling Socialist Party, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, leads in pre-election polls, while the main opposition Democratic Party, led by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, is also a strong contender.

Other parties include the Euro-Atlantic Coalition, Opportunity Party, and the New Democracy Alliance. Approximately 100 OSCE observers are monitoring the election. Albania’s diverse population includes several ethnic and religious minorities. Preliminary election results are expected around midnight.