Bosnia heads to polls amid ethnic divisions

Sarajevo, Oct 2 (EFE).- Voters in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday headed to the polls to elect the country’s multi-ethnic presidents, lawmakers for parliament’s lower house and regional leaders and assemblies.

Some 3.4 million Bosnians are being called to vote for three presidents — a Bosniak, a Croat and a Serb — and the parliaments of the country’s two autonomous regions — the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Serb-run Republika Srpska — until 7.00 pm (17.00 GMT)in nearly 5,900 polling stations.

More than 7,250 candidates from 72 parties and 30 coalitions are running in the elections.

The general elections in the small Balkan country are being held amid deep ethnic divisions between the three main ethnic groups.

The Serbian part of Bosnia and Herzegovina is intensifying efforts to secede from the republic, while tensions are boiling between Bosniaks and Croats.

Initial results are expected several hours after the polling stations close.EFE

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