BELGRADE, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Voting for local elections in Kosovo, the first since its self-declared independence from Serbia, started on Sunday morning, said electoral authorities.

    About 1.5 million people are registered to vote for local councils and mayors at more than 2,000 polling stations, including minority Serb-dominated areas.

    The preliminary results are expected within hours after polls close at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT).

    Kosovo, a breakaway province of Serbia, unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. However, Serbia has vowed it would never recognize Kosovo's independence, regarding the move as illegal and contrary to international law.

    The Serbian authorities on Nov. 10 called on people in Kosovo not to vote in the elections.