Voters were seen photographing ballot papers at 25% of polling stations nationwide by noon, while such incidents were recorded at around half of polling stations in Belgrade and one in three in Vojvodina, CRTA election observation mission announced at its press conference. CRTA is observing elections based on a representative sample of polling stations.
They noted that the number of affected polling stations is continuing to rise.
CRTA also reported ballot stuffing at two polling station, in Žabalj and Sjenica. Its legal team had contacted the police over suspected vote buying and “carousel voting” in Novi Sad, involving a voter bringing in a completed ballot and taking out a blank one. The mission said it had received no information about the police response by the time of the press conference.
Safeguards against multiple voting were also inconsistently applied. At around 12% of polling stations – approximately 1,000 – electoral ink and UV lamps were not used consistently.
Irregularities, including procedural shortcomings, were recorded at around 14% of polling stations by noon, CRTA said. At more than 1,200 polling stations, voting was not organised in a way that fully safeguarded the integrity and secrecy of the ballot.
Observers were generally able to begin monitoring without obstruction. Isolated problems with access were resolved through the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK).
