A top EU election monitor said Monday that Kosovo's first national election since it declared independence from Serbia was generally orderly, but marred by allegations of fraud in the ruling prime minister's political stronghold.
Doris Pack said that serious allegations of fraud in two municipalities had been brought to the attention of the EU observation mission. She said, however, the reports did not "undermine the whole process".
As vote-counting was underway Monday, early results put Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and his Democratic Party ahead with 31 percent of the vote against his rival's 25 percent. Official results were expected later Monday.
According to election authorities, there was an unprecedented turnout of up to 95 percent in Mr. Thaci's region of Drenica.
Speaking in Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and enlargement commissioner Stefan Fuele called for Kosovo authorities to certify the election results.
The EU officials said in a statement that there was "much work ahead" so that Kosovo can advance its progress toward joining the European Union. VOA News
