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Bosnian Serbs vote for president Bosnian Serbs vote for president
(about 11 hours later)
Voters are going to the polls in the Bosnian Serb Republic to elect a successor to President Milan Jelic, who died of a heart attack in September. Early results from the presidential election in the Bosnian Serb Republic suggest the Social Democrat candidate, Rajko Kuzmanovic, is in the lead.
Electors were voting to choose a successor to President Milan Jelic, who died in September.
There are 10 candidates, all of whom oppose any weakening of the republic's high degree of autonomy within Bosnia.There are 10 candidates, all of whom oppose any weakening of the republic's high degree of autonomy within Bosnia.
EU officials have made it clear central institutions will have to be strengthened before Bosnia can be considered for entry. EU officials have said central institutions must be strengthened if Bosnia is to be considered for entry.
With 55% of votes counted, Mr Kuzmanovic had polled over 44%.
His nearest rival, Ognjen Tadic, had about 33%. He is the candidate of the Serb Democratic Party, founded by fugitive war crimes suspect Radovan Karadzic.
The poll comes five days after Bosnia's first step to EU membership.The poll comes five days after Bosnia's first step to EU membership.
On 4 December, it initialled a pre-membership agreement at a ceremony in Sarajevo, following a deal to merge the country's ethnically divided police force. On 4 December, it initialled a pre-membership agreement at a ceremony in Sarajevo, following a deal to merge the country's ethnically-divided police force.
Analysts say the ruling party's Rajko Kuzmanovic, 76, has the best chance of winning the election. Prior to the election, analysts said Mr Kuzmanovic, 76, had the best chance of winning.
He has the support of Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, the most powerful man in the entity. He has the support of Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, the most powerful man in the Bosnian Serb republic.
The role of Bosnian Serb president is mostly ceremonial but includes the power to appoint or dismiss the prime minister with parliamentary support.The role of Bosnian Serb president is mostly ceremonial but includes the power to appoint or dismiss the prime minister with parliamentary support.