Protests, international concern over Albania's election crisis

Sofia Echo ^ | Sunday, May 22, 2011 | Clive Leviev-Sawyer

[SunkenCiv]

Cameramen cover a protest in front of Albania's Central Election Commission in Tirana, May 21 2011. The opposition said its victory in the Tirana mayor's race has been overturned by the counting of so-called stray and misplaced ballots while the CEC says it is living up to its duty to count every vote. [Reuters]

Socialist Party supporters shout slogans as police stand guard during a protest in front of Albania's Central Election Commission in Tirana, May 21 2011. [Reuters]

Opposition Socialist Party lawmaker Namik Dokle, centre, shouts slogans in front of police during a protest at Albania's Central Election Commission (CEC) in Tirana, May 20 2011. The opposition said its victory in the Tirana mayor's race has been overturned on the CEC table by the counting of so-called stray and misplaced ballots. The CEC says it is living up to its duty to count every vote. [Reuters]

[SunkenCiv]

"Stray ballots" -- just like Al Franken.

[SunkenCiv]

Albania’s ruling party snatches win in controversial Tirana vote
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1641130.php/Albania-s-ruling-party-snatches-win-in-controversial-Tirana-vote

EU Concern Over Albania’s Stray Ballots Result
http://www.albanianeconomy.com/news/2011/05/25/eu-concern-over-albanias-stray-ballots-result/

Opposition files lawsuit to challenge the electoral results
http://www.albanianeconomy.com/news/2011/05/24/opposition-files-lawsuit-to-challenge-the-electoral-results/

[Wuli]

Maybe “stray ballots” are the issue; and maybe some people just feel that if they can’t win at the ballot box then they can create mobs to get the results changed.

[SunkenCiv]

Hey, can’t they have both?

[Wuli]

“Hey, can’t they have both?”

They can have whatever they choose, and maybe they do have “both”; a corrupt incumbent government and politically corrupt protest leaders who may be be part of those who actually lost the election, “stray ballots” or not, and are simply using mobs in the street to push a for result in their favor.