Neck and neck in Serbia election, poll says

MILAN PANIC, the moderate challenger for Serbia's presidency, was last night neck and neck with the hardline President, Slobodan Milosevic, according to an exit poll. It gave each man exactly 47 per cent support. If neither wins more than 50 per cent of the vote, a run-off must be staged in two weeks' time.

The poll, commissioned by Mr Panic's team, suggested that elections to Serbia's parliament will be equally close run. The findings were strongly contested by the ruling Socialist Party.

Voting was brisk yesterday, marred only by cries of fraud from parties that back Mr Panic. Many supporters claimed their names had been wiped off the electoral rolls.