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Serbia votes for new parliament | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Serbs have voted in the country's first general election since its union with Montenegro was dissolved last year. | |
The basic choice for the 6.5m eligible voters was between the hardline nationalists and parties that are more pro-European and pro-reform. | |
As he voted, PM Vojislav Kostunica said the best way for a better life was for Serbia to continue on its current path. | As he voted, PM Vojislav Kostunica said the best way for a better life was for Serbia to continue on its current path. |
One difficult issue remains Kosovo, with the UN expected to rule on the future of the province this year. | One difficult issue remains Kosovo, with the UN expected to rule on the future of the province this year. |
Polling stations closed at 2000 (1900 GMT), with initial results expected late on Sunday evening. | |
More than 30% of voters had turned out in the first seven hours, Serbia's Election Commission said. | More than 30% of voters had turned out in the first seven hours, Serbia's Election Commission said. |
Coalition expected | Coalition expected |
The BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade says the campaign has been largely devoid of the issues that have dominated in the past, such as co-operation with The Hague war crimes tribunal and Kosovo. | The BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade says the campaign has been largely devoid of the issues that have dominated in the past, such as co-operation with The Hague war crimes tribunal and Kosovo. |
The main choice is between nationalists and pro-reform partiesInstead other concerns such as the economy, privatisation, European integration and corruption have taken centre stage. | |
Voting was expected to be split between President Boris Tadic's pro-European Democratic Party (DS), Mr Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and war crimes suspect Vojislav Seselj's nationalist SRS. | |
Opinion polls have indicated that no party will win a majority outright but the president and prime minister are expected to form a coalition. | Opinion polls have indicated that no party will win a majority outright but the president and prime minister are expected to form a coalition. |
The higher turnout has been caused by civic organisations putting a lot of effort into raising awareness of how important the elections are Pollster Marko Blagojevic The disputed province of Kosovo will be the first priority for any incoming government, our correspondent says. | |
The UN's chief envoy for the province is due to give his recommendations for its future soon after the election. | |
Branko Ruzic, chair of the executive committee of the Socialist Party of Serbia, said: "The higher turnout today is a good thing for all Serbians, as it gives them a chance to decide their destiny." | |
Marko Blagojevic, a pollster from the CESID agency, told the BBC: "We've been monitoring today's turnout and it was 31% by the middle of the day. That's 2% higher than it was three years ago, so I expect the total turnout to be at least 60% by the end of the day. | Marko Blagojevic, a pollster from the CESID agency, told the BBC: "We've been monitoring today's turnout and it was 31% by the middle of the day. That's 2% higher than it was three years ago, so I expect the total turnout to be at least 60% by the end of the day. |
"The higher turnout has been caused by civic organisations putting a lot of effort into raising awareness of how important the elections are. and the weather has also helped - it's been 20C." | "The higher turnout has been caused by civic organisations putting a lot of effort into raising awareness of how important the elections are. and the weather has also helped - it's been 20C." |