US calls on Albanian authorities to ensure transparent elections

US embassy in Tirana has issued a statement on Friday as voters in the country head to the polls on Sunday to elect their new mayors.

According to the US, political parties and institutions must ensure that election activities are conducted in accordance with Albanian law and international standards.

Statement:

On Sunday, Albanian citizens will exercise their most fundamental democratic right - to vote for their leaders and their future. The United States Embassy calls upon all political parties and institutions to ensure that election activities are conducted in accordance with Albanian law and international standards. Albanian authorities should ensure that elections are transparent, free, and safe. As in previous elections, international representatives, including from the U.S. Embassy, will travel throughout the country as election observers. Elections are the foundation of democracy. Party leaders had the obligation to propose clean candidates worthy of representing the Albanian people, and now the decision must rest with the people. As we have for the past three decades, the United States supports the will of the Albanian people for a strong democracy.