Albania
parliamentary elections
03/07/2005
Sources: OSCE website, Wikipedia, Xinhua
Election Summary
On July 3rd, 2005 Albania held parliamentary elections for all 140 seats in the unicameral Assembly. One hundred seats were elected in single-member constituencies, and 40 seats in a proportional ballot held nationwide.
The opposition Democratic Party (PD) won the election and its head, former President Sali Berisha, received the mandate to form a government. However, the party fell short of winning an absolute majority. The Socialist Party of Albania was in second place with 42 seats. Total voter turnout was 56%.
Around 400 foreign and 3,500 Albanian observers monitored the vote, which was seen as a key test of the country's ability to hold free and fair elections, and its readiness to move further towards EU and NATO membership. OSCE monitors assessed the conduct of the vote as generally peaceful and partly in line with international standards. However, they noted incidents of violence – including the fatal shooting of an election official – as well as confusion over voter lists and other procedural problems.
Quarrels between the main political parties hampered the counting of ballots, and the results were challenged by the Socialists. Berisha finally assumed the prime minister's post on September 3rd.