Kosovo Serbs continue with referendum

Serbs in the north head to the polls today to vote in a controversial referendum, which both the international community and the authorities in Belgrade had hoped they would abandon.

Kosovo Serb representatives say around 35,500 people will have the right to vote in 82 polling stations in the four mostly Serb northern municipalities of Zubin Potok, Zvecan, northern Mitrovica and Leposavic.

Krstimir Pantic, the Serb mayor of Mitrovica, said the referendum will strengthen the position of Serbs in the north, as well as that of Serbs south of the Ibar river in mainly Albanian parts of Kosovo.

Polling stations opened at 7am Tuesday. Voters will be asked simply whether or not they accept the “institutions of the so-called Republic of Kosovo”.