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Albanians vote in tight election Albanians vote in tight election
(about 3 hours later)
Albanians are voting in a general election that is being seen as a test of the nation's democratic credentials. Polls have closed in Albania after a tightly fought election that is being watched closely by EU observers.
Polls predict a tight race between PM Sali Berisha and his Socialist rival, Edi Rama, who both promise to boost the economy and bring Albania into the EU. Albanians voted in a general election that was seen as a test of the nation's democratic credentials.
Polls predicted a tight race between PM Sali Berisha and his Socialist rival, Edi Rama, who both promise to boost the economy and bring Albania into the EU.
Hundreds of international observers are monitoring the vote to avoid any repeat of problems seen in earlier polls.Hundreds of international observers are monitoring the vote to avoid any repeat of problems seen in earlier polls.
A spokesman for the OSCE, Europe's human rights and security watchdog, said polling was going well. A spokesman for the OSCE, Europe's human rights and security watchdog, said during the day that polling had apparently gone well.
"So far it has been relative calm," said Robert Bosch, head of the OSCE's Albanian office."So far it has been relative calm," said Robert Bosch, head of the OSCE's Albanian office.
"There are some irregularities but this time less than in past elections.""There are some irregularities but this time less than in past elections."
Polls are due to close at 1700 GMT.Polls are due to close at 1700 GMT.
Economy concernsEconomy concerns
There were reports that a member of staff at a polling station had been threatened with a firearm, and some people said their names had not appeared on registration lists at their allocated place of voting.There were reports that a member of staff at a polling station had been threatened with a firearm, and some people said their names had not appeared on registration lists at their allocated place of voting.
ELECTION FACTS Four coalitions contesting voteProportional representation systemParliament has 140 seatsFour year mandate Corruption key to Albania pollELECTION FACTS Four coalitions contesting voteProportional representation systemParliament has 140 seatsFour year mandate Corruption key to Albania poll
But so far the election has passed off relatively peacefully, the BBC's Mark Lowen in Tirana says. But the election appeared to be passing off relatively peacefully, the BBC's Mark Lowen in Tirana says.
Brussels has called for a free and fair poll if Albania is to move further towards EU integration.Brussels has called for a free and fair poll if Albania is to move further towards EU integration.
A range of issues have been raised during the campaign but surveys show that the economy is uppermost in voters' concerns, our correspondent says.A range of issues have been raised during the campaign but surveys show that the economy is uppermost in voters' concerns, our correspondent says.
After more than 45 years of isolation under Communist rule, the country's economy has slowly rebuilt itself.After more than 45 years of isolation under Communist rule, the country's economy has slowly rebuilt itself.
Albania has not been as hard-hit by the global recession as many European countries but is still expecting a sharp drop in annual growth, our correspondent adds.Albania has not been as hard-hit by the global recession as many European countries but is still expecting a sharp drop in annual growth, our correspondent adds.