Socialist candidates continue to maintain a comfortable lead in the mayoral race

The first results of the mayoral election, which took place in Albania on Sunday, have started to come out.

After winning in Elbasan, Kamze and Vora, socialists are also leading in most part of the country.

In the capital Tirana, incumbent mayor, Erion Veliaj, who is seeking to be re-elected for a third term in office has so far won 20586 votes, while his opposition rival, Belind Kellici has won 12741. Ballot boxes counted so far in the capital are 132 out of 941.

In the biggest city in the north, in Shkodra, where socialists have never won, their candidate Benet Beci is leading with 4061 votes, while his opposition rival, incumbent mayor Bardh Spahiu has won 290 votes.