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Serbs voting on new constitution Serbs voting on new constitution
(about 8 hours later)
Serbs have begun voting in a national referendum on a new constitution which declares the UN-run province of Kosovo an integral part of Serbia. Polls have closed in Serbia after the first day's voting on a constitution declaring the UN-run province of Kosovo an integral part of Serbia.
If accepted, it will be the first constitution of the Serbian state, following the break-up of Yugoslavia. If accepted, it would be the first constitution of the Serbian state, following the break-up of Yugoslavia.
The draft pre-empts UN-backed talks on the status of Kosovo, which are meant to draft a settlement by the year-end.The draft pre-empts UN-backed talks on the status of Kosovo, which are meant to draft a settlement by the year-end.
Serbia's prime minister urged a "Yes" in this weekend's vote, saying Kosovo was at the heart of Serbian statehood. Serbia's prime minister has urged a "Yes" vote, but turnout on day one was low, election officials said.
Low turnoutLow turnout
Serbia became an independent country earlier this year when its union with neighbouring Montenegro was formally dissolved.Serbia became an independent country earlier this year when its union with neighbouring Montenegro was formally dissolved.
About 6.5 million people are entitled to vote in the referendum. But after the first three hours of voting, turnout was only 5%, BBC correspondent Nick Hawton said from Belgrade.
The referendum is being held over two days in an effort to attract as many voters as possible.
No-one in Kosovo is paying any attention to the referendum Azem Vllasi, lawyer Send us your commentsNo-one in Kosovo is paying any attention to the referendum Azem Vllasi, lawyer Send us your comments
The draft constitution has already received the backing of the Serbian parliament, but now has to be approved in a national referendum, to be held on Saturday and Sunday. About 6.5 million people are entitled to vote in the national referendum. But election officials said only about 15% of voters had cast ballots by late afternoon.
The constitution needs the support of more than 50% of the electorate to be approved.
The referendum is being held over two days in an effort to attract as many voters as possible.
Voting begins again on Sunday at 0700 local time (0600 GMT).
'New beginning'
The draft constitution has already received the backing of the Serbian parliament.
Among its 200 articles are guarantees for minority and human rights and the granting of a form of self-rule for the province of Vojvodina.Among its 200 articles are guarantees for minority and human rights and the granting of a form of self-rule for the province of Vojvodina.
It also calls for the end of the death penalty - and a ban on human cloning.It also calls for the end of the death penalty - and a ban on human cloning.
'New beginning'
Some political organisations have called for a boycott of the poll, arguing there was not enough consultation over the draft.Some political organisations have called for a boycott of the poll, arguing there was not enough consultation over the draft.
But all the main political parties are appealing for the public to give their approval and vote "Yes".But all the main political parties are appealing for the public to give their approval and vote "Yes".
"It is a new beginning in the sense that in the article one it states that Serbia is a state which is based on European standards and values," senior government adviser Vadetta Yankovic said."It is a new beginning in the sense that in the article one it states that Serbia is a state which is based on European standards and values," senior government adviser Vadetta Yankovic said.
"[This] is an expression of our commitment to the European Union and our hope to join it in the foreseeable future," he added."[This] is an expression of our commitment to the European Union and our hope to join it in the foreseeable future," he added.
The most controversial aspect of the draft constitution is the claim that the province of Kosovo remains an integral part of Serbia, our correspondent says. 'Integral part'
But the most controversial aspect of the draft constitution is the claim that the province of Kosovo remains an integral part of Serbia, says the BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade.
Vojislav Kostunica stresses the historic Serbian presence in KosovoVojislav Kostunica stresses the historic Serbian presence in Kosovo
In international law, Kosovo remains a province of Serbia, even though it has been run by the UN since the war ended in 1999.In international law, Kosovo remains a province of Serbia, even though it has been run by the UN since the war ended in 1999.
In the run-up to the referendum, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Patriarch Pavle, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, jointly appealed to the voters to support the new charter.In the run-up to the referendum, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Patriarch Pavle, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, jointly appealed to the voters to support the new charter.
Mr Kostunica said the constitution would help Serbia preserve Kosovo which was "the essence, nucleus, and the heart of the state [of Serbia] and the issue of its identity", Serbian media report. "The constitution completes Serbia's statehood and reaffirms that Kosovo is its integral part not only historically but also legally," Mr Kostunica said as he cast his vote in the capital, Belgrade.
Kosovo Albanians, who make up around 90% of the province's two million population, will not be able to vote as they have not been included on voters lists after boycotting Serbian elections since 1990.Kosovo Albanians, who make up around 90% of the province's two million population, will not be able to vote as they have not been included on voters lists after boycotting Serbian elections since 1990.
"No-one in Kosovo is paying any attention to the referendum," ethnic Albanian lawyer Azem Vllasi told AFP news agency."No-one in Kosovo is paying any attention to the referendum," ethnic Albanian lawyer Azem Vllasi told AFP news agency.
"Moreover, its outcome cannot in any way prejudice a solution to the final status of Kosovo," he said."Moreover, its outcome cannot in any way prejudice a solution to the final status of Kosovo," he said.
The constitution will be approved if it receives the support of more than 50% of the electorate. A general election could then be likely in a few months, the government says.