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Votes counted in Montenegro poll Montenegro PM heads for poll win
(40 minutes later)
Counting is under way in Montenegro after the country's first general election since declaring independence. Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic appears to be heading for victory in the country's first general election since declaring independence.
With 76% of votes counted, poll monitors said the ruling coalition was close to gaining an absolute majority of seats in the national parliament.
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 Mr Djukanovic's popularity.
State officials say there have been no major voting irregularities reported, but monitoring groups say the turnout was below that for May's referendum.State officials say there have been no major voting irregularities reported, but monitoring groups say the turnout was below that for May's referendum.
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).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.The independence referendum saw an 85% turnout.
Nato planNato plan
Polls prior to the vote suggested Mr Djukanovic would win this first Montenegrin general election. Polls prior to the vote suggested Mr Djukanovic would win.
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.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.
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
Pro-Serb opposition parties have said that, if they won, they might hold another referendum on restoring links with Serbia.Pro-Serb opposition parties have said that, if they won, they might hold another referendum on restoring links with Serbia.
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.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."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."
Arrests madeArrests 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.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.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".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."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.