Kosovo Holds Peaceful 1st Vote Since Independence

A Kosovo Albanian walks past the "NEWBORN" statue in capital Pristina on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009....

A Kosovo Albanian walks past the "NEWBORN" statue in capital Pristina on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. Kosovo votes Sunday in the first election organized by local authorities since the declaration of independence from Serbia. The poll takes place amid renewed tensions between rival ethnic Albanian parties, fears of fraud and a likely boycott from the Serb minority. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)

(AP)

Kosovo's first independent elections have ended peacefully, with the prime minister claiming his party won convincingly and some minority Serbs ignoring a call to boycott and casting ballots alongside ethnic Albanians.

The elections Sunday for city council and mayors in 36 municipalities were seen as a key test of the fledgling state's viability following its contested February 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia.

Preliminary results were expected later Monday.

Hours after polls closed, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci claimed his party won in 20 of the 36 municipalities.

"Today we gave freedom, independence and democracy its full meaning," Thaci told his supporters.

The junior partner in the governing coalition claimed it won in several of Kosovo's areas, including the capital Pristina, while opposition parties contested Thaci's outright victory and urged waiting until final results come out.

Across Kosovo party sympathizers celebrated by honking their car horns, waving party flags and setting off fire crackers.

No major instances of unrest or fraud allegations were reported, though the run-up had been marred by tensions between rival ethnic Albanian parties, as well as the possibility of a boycott from the Serb minority. Stones were thrown Wednesday at Thaci's convoy, and there was an apparent assassination attempt Thursday on an opposition mayoral candidate.

Thaci had urged the country's 100,000 Serbs to ignore calls by Belgrade and the Serb Orthodox Church to boycott the vote, calling it a key test for his new nation. So far, 63 countries have recognized Kosovo, including the United States and most European countries. Serbia has vowed to block further recognition and has Russia's support.

"I'm sure we will have success and appreciate very much participation of all citizen, in particular Serbs of Kosovo," Thaci told The Associated Press after he voted.