This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/5331548.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Montenegro votes in landmark poll Votes counted in Montenegro poll
(about 2 hours later)
Voting has ended in Montenegro's first general election since it became independent earlier this year. Counting is under way in Montenegro after the country's first general election since declaring independence.
The former Yugoslav republic decided in a referendum in May to break away from its union with Serbia.The former Yugoslav republic decided in a referendum in May to break away from its union with Serbia.
The election is being seen as a test of pro-independence Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's popularity.The election is being seen as a test of pro-independence Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's popularity.
Polls suggest Mr Djukanovic could win another mandate from the country's 485,000 voters. State officials say there have been no major voting irregularities reported, but monitoring groups say the turnout was below that for May's referendum.
The BBC's Nick Hawton in Podgorica says he is one of the great survivors of Balkan politics who has in effect led Montenegro for the past 15 years without interruption. According to the independent Center for Monitoring, about 70% of Montenegro's 485,000 electorate cast their ballot before polls closed at 2100 (1900 GMT).
The independence referendum saw an 85% turnout.
Nato plan
Polls prior to the vote suggested Mr Djukanovic would win this first Montenegrin general election.
The BBC's Nick Hawton in the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, says he is one of the great survivors of Balkan politics who has in effect led Montenegro for the past 15 years without interruption.
Mr Djukanovic's governing coalition has promised to seek rapid integration within the European Union and Nato, and to crack down on organised crime.Mr Djukanovic's governing coalition has promised to seek rapid integration within the European Union and Nato, and to crack down on organised crime.
Pro-Serb opposition parties have said that, if they won, they might hold another referendum on restoring links with Serbia.
The destiny's now in their hands, now they have to do something about it. Lisa McLeanPolitical analyst Q&A: Montenegro votesThe destiny's now in their hands, now they have to do something about it. Lisa McLeanPolitical analyst Q&A: Montenegro votes
Political analyst Lisa McLean told the BBC that now the independence issue has been resolved, whoever wins Sunday's election will have to focus on the key issues of the economy and corruption. Pro-Serb opposition parties have said that, if they won, they might hold another referendum on restoring links with Serbia.
"There are no more excuses now because that issue is off the table and ... you can't blame Serbia any more," she says. Political analyst Lisa McLean told the BBC that now the independence issue has been resolved, whoever wins the election will have to focus on the key issues of the economy and corruption.
"There are no more excuses now because that issue is off the table and ... you can't blame Serbia any more," she said.
"Even the prime minister used to say in the campaign we want to take our destiny into our own hands. Well, the destiny's now in their hands, now they have to do something about it.""Even the prime minister used to say in the campaign we want to take our destiny into our own hands. Well, the destiny's now in their hands, now they have to do something about it."
Meanwhile, 14 ethnic Albanians - including three US nationals - have been arrested in the southern border town of Tuzi, Montenegrin police said. Arrests made
Meanwhile, 14 ethnic Albanians - including three US nationals - have been arrested in the border town of Tuzi, in the Albanian-dominated south of the country, Montenegrin police said.
They say weapons and ammunition were also seized in Saturday's raid.They say weapons and ammunition were also seized in Saturday's raid.
Some reports suggest the suspects were detained on terror charges.Some reports suggest the suspects were detained on terror charges.
Two ethnic Albanian parties protested against the arrests, saying that they were "politically motivated" and aimed at putting a pressure on their supporters ahead of the election.
But Mr Djukanovic denied this was the case saying that the police "have professionally and efficiently done their job".
"Life does not halt in the days before the elections. Thieves steal on these days, murderers kill... and those ready to execute terrorist actions are preparing for that," Mr Djukanovic told reporters.