Twelve election experts are based in Tirana and later this week 25 long-term observers will be deployed to the regions.

"The holding of democratic elections in which the voters can have confidence is the joint responsibility of the Albanian authorities, the political parties, the media and civil society," said Jorgen Grunnet, who heads the ODIHR Mission. "Our role here remains the same as in previous elections; to observe this process and report on our findings."

The ODIHR will assess the entire election process in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections and national legislation, focusing on the legislative framework and its implementation, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, fairness of the election campaign, the media situation, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

The ODIHR has requested that OSCE participating States send 400 short-term observers to be deployed across Albania shortly before the 3 July polling. They will observe in teams of two, monitoring the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results. (Source: OSCE Albania)