Vucic, a former ultranationalist now self-declared pro-EU reformer, could even clinch victory outright in the first round, pre-election polls suggest. If he does not reach the required 50 per cent of the vote, a second round will be held on Apr 16.
Opposition candidates include pro-Western liberal Sasa Jankovic; former Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, who is supported by conservative and pro-Russian groups; and ultranationalist Vojislav Seselj, who has been cleared of war crimes by a UN court but still faces an appeals process.