PR: We do not recognize the elections in 16 municipalities Fear grows that the Opposition will not accept the result. Berisha claims that 40 percent of voters are missing from the lists pages 2, 3

BY ALEKSANDËR ÇIPA Today has two beginnings: its usual morning and the first announcement of the result of the new Election Day. Faced with—and anxious about—this second beginning, Albanian citizens carry a dual state of mind: the illusion transformed into belief, but also the belief gained in change. The race over the result, outside the official records, is genuine panic, as is the possible delay in the counting. The competing parties, in their rush or haste, whichever way it goes, would end up losers because of their irresponsibility. In this terrain, already prejudged by citizens, the most convincing scenario remains the integrity of the counters and the vigilance of the observers. In other words, we are talking about the third party: those who have followed the race but have remained detached from this contest until the final figure is read. Officially, this party was joined in the early hours of this morning by the well-known American diplomat Frouik and the entire diplomatic corps in Tirana. Meanwhile, its structure has been more fully established through the representatives of the OSCE, ODIHR and other international observers. Today, observers and representatives monitoring the electoral process will be present at the country’s most sensitive points, helping to facilitate the preliminary results. This presence encourages one to believe that in a country where “the crowds rush ahead of the result,” disappointment will be avoided this time. The mystery of this Oedipal process in Albanian politics is best explained by this human representation. And this is the latest instance added to our misfortune of “needing an umpire.” The umpires’ verdict, which will come before the political headquarters’ simian haste, must at least not be distorted or mistranslated, since disappointment with it would finally turn us into the example of a “politically ungoverned country.” Respect for the counting of votes, and at the same time respect for the numerical verdict of the votes, would be the first affirmation of its kind for our citizens. This is where the “new mandate” of governance based on trust will begin. Away from conjectured scenarios and backroom dealings that breed lies, accepting the institutions of the vote would give Albania a new day of genuine political evolution. Otherwise, we will remain where we have been: distant inhabitants of the continent on which we tread. After this, the blame will be ours alone and that of those who have ruled us politically for 10 years now.

[Illustration: a stump with two hands making the victory sign and a sprout growing from the trunk.]