ODIHR: Full Observation Mission Needed for Upcoming Elections in Serbia

Elections (BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC)

A mission of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has recommended that the organization send a mission in full capacity for observing the upcoming elections in Serbia, due to expectations that they will take place in an extremely polarized political and social environment.

The Needs Assessment Report by the ODIHR mission, whose members visited Belgrade from July 6 to 10 to assess the pre-election environment, states that the Serbian authorities have adopted a number of legal amendments in line with the organization's previous recommendations, but that certain practical problems, primarily concerning the media, equal campaign conditions and political polarization, require the deployment of a full election observation mission.

After meetings in Belgrade with representatives of state institutions, the election administration, ruling and opposition parties, media outlets, and non-governmental organizations, the Needs Assessment Mission members recommended the deployment of a team of 32 long-term observers to follow the electoral process across the country and 300 short-term observers to observe election day procedures.

The election observation mission will assess the environment and campaign activities across traditional, online and social media, as well as institutional preparedness and effectiveness in identifying and responding to disinformation, misinformation, and potential foreign and domestic interference, reads the report.

The document expresses the expectation that the coming elections in Serbia will be held in an extremely polarized political and social environment, characterized by a pronounced lack of trust among key political actors and between the opposition and the election administration.

The report notes that the political situation in the country has been considerably affected by the mass protests of students and other citizens, triggered by the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad railway station concrete canopy on Nov. 1, 2024, which have additionally intensified tensions in society and shaped the pre-election atmosphere.

The interlocutors of the Needs Assessment Mission identified a whole host of aspects the future ODIHR mission should assess, including the implementation of the recently amended legal framework, the work of the election administration, the voter roll and its current audit, registration of candidates, campaign realization, campaign financing, media reports, and regulation and procedures on election day, the Mission says.

The report also lists allegations of vote buying, potential abuse of state resources, and intimidation of and undue pressure on voters as matters that require further attention.