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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Kosovo holds parliamentary elections | Kosovo holds parliamentary elections |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| People in Kosovo are voting in parliamentary elections, seen as a vital test for the country's EU bid. | People in Kosovo are voting in parliamentary elections, seen as a vital test for the country's EU bid. |
| The prime minister and former rebel chief, Hashim Thaci, of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), is hoping for a third term in office. | |
| But he is facing a strong challenge from the Democratic League of Kosovo. | |
| For the first time since Kosovo's self-declared independence in 2008, Serbia is encouraging ethnic Serbs to vote, a move which will help EU membership. | For the first time since Kosovo's self-declared independence in 2008, Serbia is encouraging ethnic Serbs to vote, a move which will help EU membership. |
| The elections follow last year's agreement to normalise relations between Belgrade and Pristina as a pre-condition for their bids to become members of the EU. | The elections follow last year's agreement to normalise relations between Belgrade and Pristina as a pre-condition for their bids to become members of the EU. |
| Kosovo: At a glance | |
| All parties support Kosovo's ambition to join the EU. | All parties support Kosovo's ambition to join the EU. |
| After four hours of voting, national turnout had reached around 10%, although areas of North Kosovo, with large Serbian populations, have recorded fewer voters so far. | After four hours of voting, national turnout had reached around 10%, although areas of North Kosovo, with large Serbian populations, have recorded fewer voters so far. |
| Not all polling stations have submitted early turnout figures, however, so the actual turnout could be significantly higher. | |
| There have been no instances of the violence that blighted Kosovo's last two national elections. | |
| Polling stations opened at 05:00 GMT and close at 17:00 GMT. | |
| Mass unemployment | Mass unemployment |
| Almost 30,000 monitors are in Kosovo to prevent a repeat of the fraud which also marred the last election, the BBC's Balkans correspondent Guy De Launey reports. | |
| In 2010, diplomats and election monitors witnessed ballot-stuffing and other irregularities, and voting had to be held again at more than 20 polling stations, our correspondent says. | In 2010, diplomats and election monitors witnessed ballot-stuffing and other irregularities, and voting had to be held again at more than 20 polling stations, our correspondent says. |
| Kumrje Sahiti, an Albanian voter from Pristina, told the Associated Press she just hoped the best candidate would win. | |
| "I am hoping for progress in economy, agriculture and education,", she said. | |
| Agron Bajrami, a local newspaper editor, said it was impossible to predict the outcome. | |
| "Today's elections in Kosovo are all about the economy," he said. | |
| "It is maybe the first time since we declared independence that we are talking only about the wellbeing of people and the unemployment, which is very high." | |
| About two out of three under-25s are currently jobless, and nearly 50% of Kosovo's 1.8 million people are considered to be poor. | About two out of three under-25s are currently jobless, and nearly 50% of Kosovo's 1.8 million people are considered to be poor. |
| Although Belgrade still rejects Kosovo's independence, it is encouraging the ethnic Serb community to take part in the elections. | |
| Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has said it would be "unwise" for ethnic Serbs to abstain. |