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Serbians vote for head of state Hardliner ahead in Serbian poll
(about 1 hour later)
Voting has ended in Serbia in presidential elections which could shape the country's future direction. Hardliner Tomislav Nikolic is ahead in Serbian presidential elections but will probably face a run-off against his nearest rival, partial results suggest.
The election comes at a crucial time, with tensions rising over the future of Serbia's disputed province of Kosovo. Mr Nikolic received about 39% while current President Boris Tadic had 35%, with less than 10% of votes counted, independent monitors said.
Nine candidates are contesting the election, though analysts expect a second round run-off will be needed.
Most analysts regard it as a race between current pro-Western President, Boris Tadic, and Tomislav Nikolic, the leader of a hardline nationalist party.
Mr Nikolic's Serbian Radicals are the country's largest political party.Mr Nikolic's Serbian Radicals are the country's largest political party.
Some pre-election opinion polls gave him a slim lead over Mr Tadic, who defeated him in the run-off round of the 2004 presidential election by 53.7% to 45%. The election comes at a crucial time, with tensions rising over the future of Serbia's disputed province of Kosovo.
Polls opened at 0700 local time (0600 GMT) and most closed at 2000, though there are reports that some are staying open late to allow people still queuing to cast their ballots. Polls opened at 0700 local time (0600 GMT) and closed at 2000, though some reportedly stayed open late to allow people still queuing to cast their ballots.
Seven other candidates are contesting the election.
Kosovo debateKosovo debate
The campaign has been dominated by the issues of Kosovo, the economy and closers ties with the European Union.The campaign has been dominated by the issues of Kosovo, the economy and closers ties with the European Union.
Q: Serbian electionMark Mardell's blogQ: Serbian electionMark Mardell's blog
Mr Nikolic favours eventual membership of the EU but says friendship with Serbia's fellow Orthodox Slavs in Russia is more important.Mr Nikolic favours eventual membership of the EU but says friendship with Serbia's fellow Orthodox Slavs in Russia is more important.
"Russia is a much closer partner to Serbia. Our path to Russia is open," he said."Russia is a much closer partner to Serbia. Our path to Russia is open," he said.
"But if the EU wants to open up its doors and no longer impose obstacles, we will be glad to join the EU.""But if the EU wants to open up its doors and no longer impose obstacles, we will be glad to join the EU."
To become president, the winner must gain more than 50% of the votes.To become president, the winner must gain more than 50% of the votes.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe has been speaking to Serbs about their presidential election on Sunday.In picturesThe BBC's Nick Thorpe has been speaking to Serbs about their presidential election on Sunday.In pictures
If this is not achieved on Sunday, the top two candidates will hold a run-off election at the start of February.If this is not achieved on Sunday, the top two candidates will hold a run-off election at the start of February.
Mr Tadic thinks the election will be close.Mr Tadic thinks the election will be close.
"This vote is the first half of the match," he said."This vote is the first half of the match," he said.
"The second half, on 3 February, will be a chance to once again decide to conquer Europe, a better life, better salaries and pensions, greater security.""The second half, on 3 February, will be a chance to once again decide to conquer Europe, a better life, better salaries and pensions, greater security."
SymbolismSymbolism
The post of president is largely ceremonial, but it does carry enormous symbolic influence, says the BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade.The post of president is largely ceremonial, but it does carry enormous symbolic influence, says the BBC's Nick Hawton in Belgrade.
The president is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.The president is also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
HAVE YOUR SAY I don't have much faith in elections in that region Albert Klein, Almere, Netherlands Send us your commentsThis could be critical in the coming weeks and months, when ethnic Albanians in the UN-administered province of Kosovo are expected to declare independence, our correspondent says. HAVE YOUR SAY I don't have much faith in elections in that region Albert Klein, Almere, Netherlands Send us your comments This could be critical in the coming weeks and months, when ethnic Albanians in the UN-administered province of Kosovo are expected to declare independence, our correspondent says.
Kosovo's new prime minister, Hashim Thaci, has said he wants to steer the province to formal independence within "a few weeks".Kosovo's new prime minister, Hashim Thaci, has said he wants to steer the province to formal independence within "a few weeks".
Both Mr Tadic and Mr Nikolic are strongly opposed to this.Both Mr Tadic and Mr Nikolic are strongly opposed to this.
But Mr Nikolic has projected a more hardline stance on ties with the EU if the bloc recognises Kosovan independence.But Mr Nikolic has projected a more hardline stance on ties with the EU if the bloc recognises Kosovan independence.
His campaign has benefited from growing frustration at Western backing for Kosovo independence, as well as at the pace of Western-style reforms.His campaign has benefited from growing frustration at Western backing for Kosovo independence, as well as at the pace of Western-style reforms.
The issues of living standards, employment levels and measures to fight against corruption will figure highly for ordinary voters, analysts say.The issues of living standards, employment levels and measures to fight against corruption will figure highly for ordinary voters, analysts say.
A small number of international observers from the OSCE and Russia will monitor the poll. A small number of international observers from the OSCE and Russia are monitoring the poll.
On 11 January, Serbia's election commission said it would bar US and British observers over their support for Kosovan independence.On 11 January, Serbia's election commission said it would bar US and British observers over their support for Kosovan independence.
Over 3,000 monitors from Serbia's nongovernmental Center For Free Elections and Democracy (CESID) will also be watching the poll. Over 3,000 monitors from Serbia's nongovernmental Center For Free Elections and Democracy (CESID) watched the poll.