Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has clinched a historic fourth term, becoming the first leader in the country’s post-communist era to secure such a mandate. His Socialist Party (PS) won 52% of the vote in Sunday’s election,

Voting ended in Albania’s parliamentary election Sunday after a boisterous campaign dominated by the country’s uphill effort to join the European Union and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s bid for a fourth term.

A lone exit poll released by Klan Kosova — a news channel from neighboring Kosovo — and the English-language Albanian Post news site known for its pro-government views, points to a decisive win for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialists at 51 percent, with Sali Berisha’s Democrats lagging significantly behind at 38 percent.

Ilir Rranci moved to a hamlet outside the Albanian city of Elbasan for the view of snow-capped peaks and a garden big enough for fruit trees, chickens and turkeys. Today, however, the surrounding scenery is obstructed by a multicoloured mountain of rubbish from a next-door landfill.

Under the party slogan, “Albania 2030 in EU, Only with Edi and SP,” Rama insists that full EU accession is possible by 2030 with annual funding of 1 billion euros ($1.13 billion) upon joining.

Albania will elect a new parliament on Sunday, with Prime Minister Edi Rama is seeking a historic fourth consecutive term. The election will also be a key test for the country's EU integration.

Albanians head to the polls on Sunday for legislative elections seen as crucial to gauging the country's democratic development, and its progress towards its goal of a European future.

The elections in Albania are unfolding with a low turnout at the polls, with current Prime Minister Edi Rama and former President Salih Berisha running against each other. Counting of votes will begin when the polls close at 7 o’clock Albanian time and the first results are expected late in the evening.