Polling stations in Albania opened on Sunday for voters to cast their ballots in the parliamentary elections, with more than 2,000 foreign and Albanian observers in attendance.
The country of 2.8 million people, with 3.7 million eligible voters, including the diaspora casting ballots for the first time by mail, will elect 140 lawmakers to four-year terms, choosing from 2,046 candidates representing 11 political groupings, including three coalitions.
Turnout until 10 a.m. (0800 GMT), three hours after polls opened, was 13.15%, according to the Central Election Commission, slightly less than four years ago. Polls close at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT).
Prime Minister Edi Rama is seeking an unprecedented fourth term, after an election campaign focused on promises of joining the European Union.
Rama, who has led the “Socialist Party” since 2013, is currently ahead in the race against his opponent, former Prime Minister Sali Berisha of the “Democratic Party.”
