New Delhi, April 1 -- International observers at a local election in European Union candidate Serbia said Monday they had witnessed violence and irregularities during the vote.

"Yesterday, the delegation observed procedures inside polling stations often largely in line with provisions but was alarmed by the situation outside the premises," the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe said in a statement.

"Congress observers witnessed acts of violence . and in all but one of the municipalities visited, saw heated arguments and the threatening presence of large groups of people, often unidentified and sometimes masked," they added.

The vote in Serbia on Sunday was held in 10 towns throughout the country. It was...