Tirana, Albania  - Conservative Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha looked headed for another term after legislative elections Sunday and thousands of people crowded the streets of Tirana and other cities to celebrate the apparent victory.

With the central election commission keeping silent on official results, crowds relied on exit polls that indicated a clear win for Berisha's Democratic Party.

It was unclear hours after voting ended when the election authorities planned to begin announcing at least partial official results.

Projections from various exit polls differed only on the margin of Berisha's win, projecting either an absolute majority or a tally very close to it.

With some 12 seats still up for grabs in projections, Tirana Mayor Edi Rama's opposition Socialist Party was tipped at winning around 60 of the 140 seats in the unicameral Assembly, remaining well out of reach of a majority.

Election day passed without the big problems that many had feared after violence, including two fatal incidents, marred the campaign.

Albania joined NATO in April, but needed to organize elections at a higher standard than in the past to unblock its bid for membership of the European Union.

"I can't say that these elections were perfect, because no election process is perfect, but these elections were far better than any other before," Berisha said after voting ended.

"Through these elections, the Albanians sign their European future," he had said earlier, after casting his vote. (dpa)