POLLING STATIONS OPEN IN WEST AND EAST MOSTAR

MOSTAR, Sept 13 (Hina) - All of 40 polling stations opened at 07.00 am Saturday in Croat-controlled western Mostar, the local branch of the Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia-Herzegovina (HDZ B-H) has said. During first hours the turnout was light as voters can cast their ballots either on Saturday or on Sunday. Mayor of Mostar, Ivan Prskalo was of first citizens to cast their ballots on Saturday morning. According to a decision of the OSCE, polling stations have not opened in the city's central zone, and voters in that part of Mostar can choose one of six municipalities where they will vote, the same source has said. A local radio station in Moslem-controlled eastern Mostar has broadcast several times Deputy Mayor Safet Orucevic's call on citizens not to go to the polling stations on Saturday. Last night Orucevic, proposed by the coalition for the united and democratic Bosnia-Herzegovina to be a candidate for the mayor at this election, called on citizens not to cast their ballots until the Croat side in the Herzegovina-Neretva cantonal assembly accept an amendment to the cantonal constitution, referring to the organisation of Mostar. He was quoted by local media in eastern Mostar as saying that the Croat side has to adopt a decision under which the community of the Croat municipalities of Mostar would no longer exist and that the Croat side is expected to adopt a procedure on the return of Moslems (Bosniaks) and Croats in Mostar. The president of the cantonal assembly, Ivan Bender of the HDZ of B-H, has convened a session at 02.00 pm 13 September (Saturday),and said that the agenda will be determined at the session. Polling stations opened in eastern Mostar as well at 07.00 am Saturday. According to unofficial reports from several polling stations, there were no voters until 10.00 am. The local radio station in that part of the southern city has been reiterating Orucevic's call on citizens not to vote until the Croat side accept a Mostar amendment to the cantonal constitution. (hina) mš 131046 MET sep 97