Top officials backing his plan for constitutional referendum on November 7. The mainly leftist opposition accuses President Sali Berisha of failing to ensure fairness in the elections, particularly considering the manipulations of last Spring's parliamentary elections. The main opposition party, the post-communist Socialists, has threatened a boycott, although news reports say all parties now have agreed to participate. There were widespread charges that the ruling party interfered with the results of parliamentary elections held five months ago. In connection with those charges, the OSCE has withdrawn as a monitor of the local elections.
Election law allows non-citizen legal residents to vote in the local government elections.
Only citizens may be candidates, but non-citizens may vote if they are 18 years of age and have five years of local residency. This is part of Estonia's stated policy of integrating non-citizen residents into the nation's society and democratic institutions. Nineteen parties are participating in local elections in 254 local government units. Five parties have listed candidates in ten or more municipalities. The most active of these is the Reform Party, with candidates listed in 22 locations.