(29 Jun 1996) Dozens of Bosnian refugees now living in Italy have arrived in east Mostar to take part in Sunday's elections.

The refugees, all formerly from the southern Bosnian city, say they hope the elections will help reunite the city divided after four years of war.

Residents of mostly Muslim East Mostar and mostly Croatian West Mostar are voting for one mayor and council to replace the local administrations in the east and west of the city.

They'd fled their homeland to escape the fighting.

But on Saturday they returned to Mostar to have a say in its future.

Although they now live in Italy, they hope to see the historic city reunited.

During the war, Mostar was the scene of heavy fighting between Muslims and Serbs and is now a divided city.

The refugees made their way by bus via Croatia.

It was an emotional reunion.

Most hadn't seen relatives and friends for months, some even years.

This man said that he was delighted to be back and that he hoped the elections would help to reunite his former home.

This Bosnian Muslim woman said she wanted the city to be reunited as it was before.

This refugee said the city could not stay divided as not even Berlin had remained divided.

I-FOR began to increase its security presence in Mostar in the run up to Sunday's elections.

It's not just Muslims who are returning home. This school was being prepared for Bosnian Serb refugees arriving from Belgrade to take part in the election.

Mattresses were laid on floors for overnight stays.

Election officials began setting up voting booths and preparing ballot boxes for the elections.

For the first time since the city was divided Croats, Muslims and Serbs will come together on Sunday to vote to bring the city back together.

Since the American brokered peace deal in 1994 the European Union has taken over the administration of the city and will be the driving force behind ensuring Sunday's elections are without incident.

Residents will vote for a municipal council and mayor to replace the two local mayors from East and West Mostar.

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