The Self Determination Movement in Albania released today an observation compiled by the three independent candidates running in Tirana, Lezha, and Gjirokastra, namely Boiken Abazi, Iliaz Shehu and Kreshnik Merxhani.

Self-Determination alleges that there were several legal violations conducted by the commission members of ballot counting stations during the process, including not allowing independent observers to enter counting stations, pressure not to document electoral crimes as well as ignoring the requests of its 3 candidates to commission members.

The party also weighed in on the many votes designated as “invalid” and blamed counters for intentionally marking them that way.

“The repetition of the phenomenon of vote-buying/selling or declaring votes as invalid by commissioners on ballots cast for independent candidates. This has been documented widely in a written report from our observers, but also caught on camera”, stated Self-Determination in Albania.

Another accusation was addressed to the State Police for executing illegal orders.

“Abusing the authority of the police by placing them at the service of illegal orders issued by secretaries of ballot counting stations”, said LVV in Albania, adding that its team is gathering evidence to submit it to law enforcement authorities.