TIRANA - The two main Albanian political rivals, the Socialists of Prime Minister Fatos Nano and the Democrats of former president Sali Berisha, both claimed victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections, seen as a crucial test for the European future of the Balkan country.
"Our victory is profound. We have won in the majority of the country," Berisha said.
Berisha called on his supporters, who began gathering in front of his party headquarters in the capital Tirana, for "restraint and modesty."
However, Gramoz Ruci, a top official in Nano's Socialists said the ruling party has won the polls "with 60 to 70 percent of the vote."
"We have won, our victory is profound," Ruci said.
A free and fair vote is essential for Albania's hopes of signing an accession accord with the European Union this year, a key step toward eventual membership possibly in 2014.
Some 6,400 police were deployed at polling stations to avoid possible fraud during the transport of votes to counting centres, while some 400 foreign and 3,500 Albanian observers were monitoring the polls.
Berisha said that the turnout was around 56 percent, which could favour his party.
Earlier, an electoral commission spokesman said the turnout had reached 44 percent two hours before the polling stations closed at 7:00 pm (1700 GMT).
A survey conducted by the Kosovo institute Gani Bob, broadcast on national television, predicted that Berisha's party had won 14 of 15 constituencies in Tirana and the port of Durres, 45 kilometres (27 miles) from the capital.
Eve of poll surveys gave Berisha the narrowest of edges -- 35 percent against 34 percent for Nano.
Unofficial results were expected Monday.
07/03/2005 20:10 GMT