TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania's president has denounced Sunday's municipal elections as a "farce" and urged new polls to resolve the country's political crisis.

President Ilir Meta had tried to cancel the elections, saying they would be undemocratic without the participation of Albania's opposition, which boycotted the vote.

But Prime Minister Edi Rama of the ruling Socialist Party ordered the elections for mayors and local council members held Sunday, and his party is expected to receive the most votes by a significant margin.

The opposition has claimed that the low turnout — 21.6% — showed that the elections were unconstitutional and illegal.

Preliminary results were expected Tuesday but were delayed.