Widespread voting irregularities, pressure on voters and escalating violence could have a significant impact on the outcome of Serbia’s closely contested election, CRTA’s election observation mission warned at the press conference.
Presenting findings from a representative sample of 500 polling stations, CRTA reported pressure on voters or polling board members at around one-third of stations. Procedural irregularities were recorded at 18%, while irregularities affecting the integrity of voting were reported at 17%.
Voters photographing ballot papers were observed at 40% of polling stations, up from 25% earlier in the day.
Failures to use UV lamps or marking spray were recorded at around one in five stations, undermining safeguards against multiple voting.
Unauthorised individuals were present at 5% of polling stations. At the same proportion of stations, polling board members or election observers were seen actively suggesting how voters should vote.
CRTA also reported incidents targeting its observation mission. In Zemun, a group of five or six men surrounded, harassed and intimidated a female observer. In Kragujevac, an individual falsely claimed to represent CRTA’s legal team in the field. The organisation stressed that it had no such team.
Citing an increase in incidents and physical violence during the afternoon, CRTA urged all actors, particularly those able to influence institutions, to reduce tensions during the remaining hours of voting.
