Low turn-out renders election invalid

Serbia’s first presidential elections since Slobodan Milosevic was ousted from power failed today because of low turnout that invalidated the entire process, independent vote monitors said.

Widespread voter apathy – triggered by the slow pace of reforms, quarrelling between pro-democracy leaders who ousted Milosevic and low living standards - produced a turn-out of 45.5%, according to the independent Centre for Free Elections and Democracy.