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Kosovo votes in general election Kosovo votes in general election
(about 10 hours later)
People in Kosovo have started voting in a general election, as uncertainty over the status of the province continues. Voting has ended in parliamentary, local and mayoral elections in Kosovo, amid continuing uncertainty over the status of the province.
One hundred of the 120 seats in the provincial assembly are up for direct election, and the rest are reserved for Serbs and other minorities. One hundred of the 120 seats in the provincial assembly were up for direct election, with the rest reserved for Serbs and other minorities.
Mayoral elections are also being held. Kosovo is formally part of Serbia but has been run by the UN since 1999. Kosovo is formally part of Serbia but has been run by the UN since 1999.
Ethnic Albanians, backed by the US and others, want independence but Serbia, supported by Russia, is against it.Ethnic Albanians, backed by the US and others, want independence but Serbia, supported by Russia, is against it.
The Belgrade government has called on Kosovo's Serbs to boycott Saturday's polls, so as not to legitimise a government which may soon decide to break away from Serbia, says the BBC's Nick Hawton in Pristina, the Kosovan capital. The BBC's Nick Hawton in Pristina, the Kosovan capital, says it appears that a large number of Serbs have boycotted the ballot.
Some 150 Council of Europe observers are monitoring voting across the province. The Belgrade government had called on Serbs not to vote so as to avoid legitimising a government that may soon decide to break away from Serbia.
Our correspondent says voting in ethnic Albanian areas was much stronger.
Initial election results are expected in a few hours.
Deadline
Some 150 Council of Europe observers were monitoring voting across the province.
The UN Security Council has not taken a vote on the issue of Kosovo's future because Russia has indicated it would block it.The UN Security Council has not taken a vote on the issue of Kosovo's future because Russia has indicated it would block it.
However, a deadline of 10 December has been set for status talks to be concluded.However, a deadline of 10 December has been set for status talks to be concluded.
Kosovo Albanians have expressed frustration at the slow progress, and have threatened to unilaterally declare independence immediately afterwards.Kosovo Albanians have expressed frustration at the slow progress, and have threatened to unilaterally declare independence immediately afterwards.
The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign forced out Serbian troops in 1999.The UN has administered Kosovo since a Nato bombing campaign forced out Serbian troops in 1999.
Nato maintains troops in the province and boosted their numbers ahead of the vote, amid fears tensions between the communities might spill over.Nato maintains troops in the province and boosted their numbers ahead of the vote, amid fears tensions between the communities might spill over.