Montenegro opposition leader Krivokapic votes

Democratic Front party opposition leader Zdravko Krivokapic cast his ballot in Montenegro's tense election on Sunday that pits the long-ruling pro-Western party against the opposition seeking closer ties with Serbia and Russia.

The parliamentary vote is marked by the dispute over a law on religious rights that is staunchly opposed by the influential Serbian Orthodox Church.

The issue has fueled divisions in the nation of 620,000 people that has defied traditional Slavic allies Belgrade and Moscow to become independent in 2006 and join NATO in 2017.

Some 540,000 voters are choosing whether to keep in power the Democratic Party of Socialists which has governed Montenegro for some 30 years.

The party led Montenegro to independence peacefully from much larger Serbia in 2006 and into NATO, despite strong opposition from Russia.

However, the DPS and its leader, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, have faced accusations of an autocratic rule, widespread graft and criminal links.