Serbia goes to the polls today

Voters in Serbia go to the polls today to choose a president in a closely contested race between pro-Western and nationalist candidates.

The vote, held in the shadow of Kosovo's likely independence, is considered crucial as it could determine whether the troubled Balkan nation will move closer to the European Union or return to isolation.

A declaration of independence is the expected next month by the separatist Kosovo province - Serbia's ancient heartland now dominated by pro-independence ethnic Albanians.

Some 6.7 million people are eligible to vote in the election, with nine candidates vying for the presidency.

Only two are considered serious contenders, the pro-Western incumbent, President Boris Tadic, and his pro-Russian nationalist challenger, Tomislav Nikolic.