13 Serb lists in Kosovo ballots

64 political entities have submitted lists for the local and assembly elections in Kosovo scheduled for November 17. Despite Belgrade's recommendation against participation,as many as 13 Kosovo Serb parties, coalitions and civil initiatives announced participation in the elections as the deadline for applications expired on September 12, Beta reported. 13 Serb lists in Kosovo ballots Among the parties are the Serb List for Kosovo, the Serb Popular Party, the Serb Democratic Party of Kosovo, Independent Liberal Party, the Serb Popular Party of Kosovo, the New Democracy, the Social-Democratic Party of Kosovo, the Serb Kosovo Party and the Association of Independent Social-Democrats of Kosovo. Three Serb civil initiatives have applied for the local ballot – the Multi-Ethnic Council of Plemetin, the Kosovo Movement and the Civil Initiative for Novo Brdo and Zubin Potok. After holding consultations with President Boris Tadic, the Serbian government issued a statement on Thursday calling on the Kosovo Serbs not to participate in the Kosovo assembly elections. UNMIK chief calls on Serbs to participate in elections UNMIK Chief Joachim Rucker on Friday urged Serbs in the province to take part in upcoming elections in Kosovo amid tensions over its future status, AFP reported. "It is crucial for Kosovo Serbs to take part in the elections on November 17 so that they can fully participate in the legitimate institutions of Kosovo," Rucker said in a statement. He also urged Belgrade not to "obstruct Kosovo Serbs' participation in the upcoming polls." "Democracy must be allowed to run its course -- everywhere," Rucker said.

13 Serb lists in Kosovo ballots

Among the parties are the Serb List for Kosovo, the Serb Popular Party, the Serb Democratic Party of Kosovo, Independent Liberal Party, the Serb Popular Party of Kosovo, the New Democracy, the Social-Democratic Party of Kosovo, the Serb Kosovo Party and the Association of Independent Social-Democrats of Kosovo.

Three Serb civil initiatives have applied for the local ballot – the Multi-Ethnic Council of Plemetin, the Kosovo Movement and the Civil Initiative for Novo Brdo and Zubin Potok.

After holding consultations with President Boris Tadić, the Serbian government issued a statement on Thursday calling on the Kosovo Serbs not to participate in the Kosovo assembly elections.

UNMIK chief calls on Serbs to participate in elections

UNMIK Chief Joachim Rucker on Friday urged Serbs in the province to take part in upcoming elections in Kosovo amid tensions over its future status, AFP reported.

"It is crucial for Kosovo Serbs to take part in the elections on November 17 so that they can fully participate in the legitimate institutions of Kosovo," Rucker said in a statement.

He also urged Belgrade not to "obstruct Kosovo Serbs' participation in the upcoming polls."

"Democracy must be allowed to run its course -- everywhere," Rucker said.