TIRANA, Nov 9 /ATA/ – Albania will hold partial local elections on Sunday to choose new mayors in five municipalities: Vlorë, Tepelenë, Berat, Cërrik and Mat.
The races pit candidates of the ruling Socialist Party (PS) against contenders backed by opposition forces.
In Vlorë, the Socialist candidate Brunilda Mersini faces Gjergji Nika, who is running as a citizen-proposed candidate, and Dionis Sota, supported by the opposition.
In central Albania municipality of Cërrik, Florenc Doka (SP) will compet against Eligert Hima of the “Lëvizja Shqipëria Bëhet” group and Amarildo Hoxha, who is backed by opposition parties.
In the north-eastern municipality of Mat, the Socialist candidate Altin Bojni faces Eduart Brahilika, supported by the opposition, and independent candidate Suzana Pasha. The contest in Tepelenë is between Gramos Sako (SP) and Gabriel Guma, who is backed by opposition groups.
In Berat, the race is between Socialist candidate Ervin Ceça and Pavlo Shkarpa, supported by the opposition.
The Central Election Commission said it has taken all necessary organizational and security measures for the vote. Polling stations opened at 07:00 a.m. and will close at 07:00 p.m.
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