If a foreign tourist, businessperson or other foreign visitor travelled through Albania at the moment, he or she would have no way of knowing that crucial parliamentary elections are taking place in the country on Sunday. There are no electoral posters or party flags, which usually cover the facades of every buildings ahead of elections, because this time political paraphernalia is allowed only during parties’ pre-election rallies. Yet even these rallies are unlike those before, as they have been passing off without heated speeches and a lot of noise, so as not to disturb people who are not interested in participating.
“It’s the first time that if you don’t watch television, you cannot know that Albania going through an electoral campaign. This time the campaign has not interfered with people’s lives and the electoral marketing has been minimal,” Neritan Sejamini, a political analyst and editor at a website called Exit, told BIRN.
Sejamini stressed that without any doubt, this electoral campaign has been one of the quietest ever held in the country. He added that this time, most parties have relied more on media than rallies.
He commended the fact that this time politicians employed in the public administration were restricted from participating in the campaign.
Full Article: Albania Enjoys Calmest Ever Election Campaign :: Balkan Insight.