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According to preliminary data, the Socialist Party with its coalition has won all the municipalities in the 12 regions of Albania.
The Albanian citizens exercised the right to vote in 5,417 voting centers throughout the Albanian territory.
According to data from the Central Election Commission (CEC), more than 3.5 million citizens had the right to vote to elect the mayors who will lead the municipalities.
The ruling party, the Socialist Party of Albania (SP), led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, who runs the coalition named "Alliance for European Albania", together with some of its allies, took part in the election.
On the other hand, the main opposition parties, the Democratic Party (DP) and the Socialist Movement for Integration Party (SMI) have boycotted the local elections, while some other parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition parties have been part of the election process.
We remind that Albania's President Ilir Meta has officially announced on June 10 the decision to abolish the decree on local elections, deciding the cancellation of June 30, 2019, as the day of local elections, causing pros and cons reactions.
Following the tensions in several cities of Albania, the Albanian President Ilir Meta has decreed a new date for organizing the local elections, scheduled for October 13 this year, but this date was rejected by the Socialist Party and most of the members of the Central Elections Commission that support the June 30 election process.
Meanwhile, the Albanian Police has taken a number of additional measures for ensuring and maintaining the electoral process, involving thousands of police forces. According to the General Directorate of Albanian Police, 7,779 police officers were trained, who have been engaged in tasks during the elections.
The electoral process was monitored by the OSCE / ODIHR mission, the various embassies accredited in Tirana, as well as several other international and national organizations throughout the Albanian territory.
The OSCE Chairman and at the same time Slovakia's Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Affairs, Miroslav Lajcak, and other Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) leaders have condemned the violence on damaging schools and voting materials.
In the statement, they emphasize that "now more than ever it is imperative for the Albanian political actors to work together to overcome the obstacle".
Meanwhile, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Albania and the OSCE have reacted to the recent political developments in Albania, and have called for restraint. It further states that "Any violent action or any form of incitement to violence is absolutely unacceptable in any circumstances. All political parties must show content and avoid provocative rhetoric. "
On the other hand, Prime Minister Edi Rama, who voted in the Surrel Voting Center, accompanied by his wife, Linda, stated: "Today Albania and the history lesson is many times more important that this day will give to everyone, rather than the vote for the one or the other that is secret. I believe this day confirms once and for all that you cannot play with the people, that the sovereignty of the people is not an empty word. And whoever tries to get the people sovereignty has no other end than that of failure and shame. It is important today for every citizen in this country to vote or not vote, to respect everyone's right to vote or not to vote. This is the most important thing. That's why I said..." said the head of government.
Rama also said that "... I am convinced that something historic is happening today in Albania and is a lesson that will never be forgotten by any political party, by any politician and never the interests of a political party or policy will not be able to face the great national interest and the people's loyalties to have a common home where our children grow up as they deserve ...".
Whereas, after the end of the voting process for local elections, Rama said that with this process has won the future, the citizenship, and the hope.
Following the local elections held on June 30 in Albania, the OSCE / ODIHR Election Observation Mission held a press conference presenting the preliminary report.
The OSCE / ODIHR Election Observer's Head, Audrey Glover, said that these are the 14th elections that the OSCE / ODIHR has observed in Albania and according to it, it is not the OSCE / ODIHR's task to certify the elections, but of Albanian institutions.
According to Glover, OSCE / ODIHR will within two months prepare the report on the recommendations for the upcoming elections and added that these elections are considered closed.
The OSCE / ODIHR mission chief said the voting process was conducted in a peaceful manner.
Glover stated that the "political actors should work on behalf of all parties and not just on behalf of those who support them".