Albanians went to the polls on Sunday for parliamentary elections which are deemed by the EU as a "test" for Albania's EU membership bid.

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and is to end 12 hours later. Preliminary results are expected on Monday.

Some 3.1 million voters of 3.6 million people of the country will elect 140 lawmakers from 4,300 candidates representing over 30 political parties.

Earlier surveys have showed Prime Minister Sali Berisha's Democrats and Edi Rama's opposition Socialists neck and neck in the elections.

Albania is under great pressure to ensure a well-organized vote, which is vital for the country, a NATO member since April, to thrive in its bid for the EU membership.

Some 500 international observers and about 3,000 local officials will monitor Sunday's election.

Source:Xinhua