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Jun 28, 2009, 12:30 GMT

Voting begins in Albania parliamentary election

Tirana - Voting began peacefully Sunday in Albanian parliamentary elections, the state election commission in Tirana reported, in polls are being closely monitored as a crucial gauge of the country's democratic progress. The campaign had been marred by incidents of deadly violence and tensions are expected to remain high. Conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his Democratic Party are seeking another term in office, but are facing a strong challenge from Edi Rama, the mayor of Tirana and head of the Socialist Party. Some 3 million voters are eligible to cast ballots between 7 am and 7 pm (0500 GMT and 1700 GMT) A well-organized election could help Albania, a NATO member since April, unblock its long-stalled bid for membership in the European Union. 'Through these elections, the Albanians sign their European future,' said Berisha, after casting his vote. Opposition leader Rama appealed to the voters to go to the polls in peace in order that 'they have the maturity to express that they can be part of the EU.' Some 400 foreign and more than 2,000 local observers are monitoring the election process. Exit polls are expected to be available shortly after voting ends, but the first reliable results are not expected until hours later.

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