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Serbs voting in watershed ballot Serbs voting in watershed ballot
(about 4 hours later)
Serbs are voting in a snap general election widely seen as the most important since the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.Serbs are voting in a snap general election widely seen as the most important since the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.
Early voting suggested a high turnout. The poll could decide whether the country heads towards integration with the EU or returns to isolation. The poll could decide whether the country heads towards integration with the EU or returns to isolation, but turnout appeared to be low.
A pro-Western alliance led by President Boris Tadic is running neck and neck with ultra-nationalists.A pro-Western alliance led by President Boris Tadic is running neck and neck with ultra-nationalists.
Kosovo's declaration of independence has boosted the hardliners.Kosovo's declaration of independence has boosted the hardliners.
Disagreements over how to react when most EU countries recognised Kosovo led to the collapse of a fragile coalition between Mr Tadic's Democratic Party and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's nationalist Democratic Party of Serbia.Disagreements over how to react when most EU countries recognised Kosovo led to the collapse of a fragile coalition between Mr Tadic's Democratic Party and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's nationalist Democratic Party of Serbia.
Serbs in Kosovo are being allowed to vote in the election though the Kosovo Albanian government and UN authority say they believe the ballot there is illegal.Serbs in Kosovo are being allowed to vote in the election though the Kosovo Albanian government and UN authority say they believe the ballot there is illegal.
Some seven million Serbs are eligible to go to the polls which opened at 0700 (0500 GMT) and close at 2000 (1800 GMT).Some seven million Serbs are eligible to go to the polls which opened at 0700 (0500 GMT) and close at 2000 (1800 GMT).
The 11 May elections are a form of referendum at which citizens will decide on whether or not Serbia... will be a member of the EU Boris TadicSerbian president Poll fuels Kosovo tension Under clear skies, a steady stream of people are casting their ballots at over 8,000 polling stations across the country, reports the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Belgrade.The 11 May elections are a form of referendum at which citizens will decide on whether or not Serbia... will be a member of the EU Boris TadicSerbian president Poll fuels Kosovo tension Under clear skies, a steady stream of people are casting their ballots at over 8,000 polling stations across the country, reports the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Belgrade.
But within three hours of the polls closing only 42.7% had voted, the non-governmental Centre for Free Elections and Democracy said.
At a school in the Belgrade district of Zemon, a student who had just voted for the pro-Western coalition of President Tadic said she hoped the election would open the way to Europe, at least for young people.At a school in the Belgrade district of Zemon, a student who had just voted for the pro-Western coalition of President Tadic said she hoped the election would open the way to Europe, at least for young people.
But many agree with the ultra-nationalist radical party that Serbia should shun the EU after its support for the independence of Kosovo.But many agree with the ultra-nationalist radical party that Serbia should shun the EU after its support for the independence of Kosovo.
"Europe is important, but Serbia is more important," one pensioner said."Europe is important, but Serbia is more important," one pensioner said.
Polarised nationPolarised nation
It is just over a year since the last, inconclusive general election.It is just over a year since the last, inconclusive general election.
A bitter campaign seems to have left them more polarised than ever, our correspondent says.A bitter campaign seems to have left them more polarised than ever, our correspondent says.
Serbia's President Boris Tadic casts his voteSerbia's President Boris Tadic casts his vote
Mr Tadic and his allies have hailed the signing of a long-delayed agreement with the EU as a signal that Serbia is on the road to membership of the prosperous bloc.Mr Tadic and his allies have hailed the signing of a long-delayed agreement with the EU as a signal that Serbia is on the road to membership of the prosperous bloc.
"The 11 May elections are a form of referendum at which citizens will decide on whether or not Serbia... will be a member of the EU," he said at the end of his campaign. "I am totally sure that people of Serbia are going to vote for their European future, and also to contribute in terms of our capability to defend our legitimate interest in Kosovo," he told journalists after casting his ballot in Belgrade.
The ultra-nationalist Radical Party has argued that signing the EU agreement was tantamount to recognising Kosovo independence. The ultra-nationalist Radical Party has argued that signing the EU agreement was tantamount to recognising Kosovo independence, and has promised closer ties to Moscow.
The party, whose leader Vojislav Seselj is currently on trial at The Hague international war crimes tribunal, has made clear it will not extradite any other suspects, and will seek closer ties to Moscow rather than Brussels. "We'll make Serbia a country of proud people again, defend our borders and cooperate with everyone, openly with friends but cautiously with those who show they are not our friends," leader Tomislav Nikolic said after voting.
Kosovo ballotKosovo ballot
The results are too close to call and neither bloc is expected to win a decisive majority, our correspondent says.The results are too close to call and neither bloc is expected to win a decisive majority, our correspondent says.
Mr Kostunica, whose party has branded Mr Tadic a Judas and a traitor, could hold the key to any future coalition but so could the Socialists of the late dictator Slobodan Milosevic.Mr Kostunica, whose party has branded Mr Tadic a Judas and a traitor, could hold the key to any future coalition but so could the Socialists of the late dictator Slobodan Milosevic.
However, many fear that Serbia is headed once again for a weak government, if not months of political squabbling and instability, our correspondent adds.However, many fear that Serbia is headed once again for a weak government, if not months of political squabbling and instability, our correspondent adds.
In Kosovo, national and council elections have been organised directly by Serbia in defiance of the Albanian and international authorities.In Kosovo, national and council elections have been organised directly by Serbia in defiance of the Albanian and international authorities.
The Serbian capital is plastered with election postersThe Serbian capital is plastered with election posters
Many Kosovo Serbs see the polls as a chance to elect genuine local leaders at last, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from Pristina.Many Kosovo Serbs see the polls as a chance to elect genuine local leaders at last, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from Pristina.
Marko Jaksic, a Kosovo Serb leader in the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica, said he hoped the Radicals would win, describing Boris Tadic as the EU's "favourite puppet".Marko Jaksic, a Kosovo Serb leader in the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica, said he hoped the Radicals would win, describing Boris Tadic as the EU's "favourite puppet".
Oliver Ivanovic, a moderate Kosovo Serb leader in the town, suggested a win for pro-EU parties would benefit Serbs.Oliver Ivanovic, a moderate Kosovo Serb leader in the town, suggested a win for pro-EU parties would benefit Serbs.
"If the democratic forces win these elections, I'm quit sure that Serbia will be very soon after in the EU," he said."If the democratic forces win these elections, I'm quit sure that Serbia will be very soon after in the EU," he said.
"And like a full member of EU, Serbia has much more possibility to protect its territorial integrity," he told the Associated Press.