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Kosovo votes in local elections Kosovo votes in local elections
(about 8 hours later)
The people of Kosovo are voting in local elections - the first poll since the territory declared independence from Serbia last year.The people of Kosovo are voting in local elections - the first poll since the territory declared independence from Serbia last year.
The Kosovan government says it is determined to organise a free and fair election in which both ethnic Albanians and the minority Serbs will vote.The Kosovan government says it is determined to organise a free and fair election in which both ethnic Albanians and the minority Serbs will vote.
Security is tight, especially in Serb areas where some say they fear attacks by other Serbs if they vote.Security is tight, especially in Serb areas where some say they fear attacks by other Serbs if they vote.
Thousands of Nato peacekeepers are still stationed in Kosovo.Thousands of Nato peacekeepers are still stationed in Kosovo.
Polling stations opened at 0700 (0600GMT) and will close at 1900, with early results expected by the end of Sunday evening. Polling stations opened at 0700 (0600 GMT) and will close at 1900, with early results expected by the end of Sunday evening.
Turnout fear Accountability
The BBC's Mark Lowen says most of the 120,000-strong minority Serb population still opposes Kosovo's independence.The BBC's Mark Lowen says most of the 120,000-strong minority Serb population still opposes Kosovo's independence.
Kosovo election divides Serbs Q&A: Kosovo local elections
A turnout of only about 40% is expected.A turnout of only about 40% is expected.
And one Albanian opposition group is discouraging people from voting, because they say this election gives too much power to the municipalities, some of which might end up controlled by Serbs. Zoja Bujupi, a Kosovo Albanian, said she was voting "for the good of our state, for the good of all of us".
Ten years on from Kosovo's brutal war, reconciliation between the two communities is slow. We believe it is the lesser of two evils to participate in the elections Momcilo TrajkovicKosovo Serb leader class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8359761.stm">Kosovo election divides Serbs class="" href="/2/hi/europe/8359409.stm">Q&A: Kosovo local elections
There may be a moderate Serb turnout in this election, but many here are likely to follow Belgrade's call for a boycott Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said the vote was "the most important since the proclamation of independence".
If this election is deemed free and fair, it may increase the chance of more states recognising an independent Kosovo. "We today confirm that our country has deserved to be independent and to have an European perspective," Mr Thaci said after casting his ballot in the capital, Pristina.
President Fatmir Sejdiu has called for people to come out and vote. Serbia has urged Kosovo Serbs not to take part in the poll, for fear of legitimising Kosovo's independence.
"This Sunday should prove to the world that Kosovo is a stable country that produces peace and stability in the region," he said. But some local Serb politicians have said people should ignore that call.
Momcilo Trajkovic, who is running for mayor in the Gracanica enclave near Pristina, said the vote represented "a crossroads for Kosovo Serbs".
"We believe it is the lesser of two evils to participate in the elections, and it is possible this lesser evil can be turned into something good," Mr Trajkovic, leader of the Serbian Resistance Movement, said according to AFP news agency.
Meanwhile there is a call for a boycott on the other side of the ethnic divide.
One Albanian opposition group is discouraging people from voting, because they say the election gives too much power to the municipalities, some of which might end up controlled by Serbs.
Ten years on from Kosovo's brutal war, reconciliation between the two communities is slow, says our correspondent.
If this election is deemed free and fair, it may increase the chance of more states recognising an independent Kosovo, our correspondent says.
Kosovo has so far been recognised by 63 out of 192 UN members.