Confusion clouds results of Bosnia vote

Confusion gripped Bosnia as rival Serb politicians both claimed victory in a key race following sprawling elections that will likely inject fresh uncertainty into the Balkan country's restive political scene.

Polls saw its share of upsets including landslide victories and a surprise move by the country's high representative to amend Bosnia's election law.

As votes continued to be tallied, long-time leader of Bosnia's Serbs Milorad Dodik appeared on the edge of defeat after his opponent Jelena Trivic claimed victory in the race for the presidency of the Republika Srpska -- the country's Serb entity.

"This is the victory of the people," said Trivic before taking to the streets of the RS capital Banja Luka to celebrate with her supporters.

"This should not be my private victory but rather a victory for the RS".

Nearly three decades after war ravaged the Balkan country, Bosnia continues to be burdened by its ethnic divisions.

The Balkan state has been governed by a dysfunctional administrative system created by the 1995 Dayton Agreement that succeeded in ending the conflict in the 1990s but largely failed in providing a framework for the country's political development.

Bosnia remains partitioned between a Serb entity -- the Republika Srpska (RS) -- and a Muslim-Croat federation connected by a weak central government.

In the war's wake, ethnic political parties have exploited the country's divisions to try to maintain power.