Officials say Albania parliamentary election free of incidents, ballots being counted

Albania counts parliamentary election votes

TIRANA, Albania — Officials say Albania held parliamentary elections that were free of incidents that could threaten the tiny country’s bid to join the European Union.

Central Election Commission spokesman Leonard Olli says there is no clear winner after Sunday’s vote, though early exit polls conducted by three international companies indicate Prime Minister Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party is in the lead.

Olli says ballots are being counted electronically for the first time in Albania and would take longer than expected.

The poll is seen as a crucial test of the Balkan country’s democracy and readiness for EU membership.

Some 4,300 candidates representing 34 political parties are vying for the 140 seats in Parliament.