Opposition: New Voting Booths to Facilitate Ballot Photographing

Elections (BETAPHOTO/DRAGAN GOJIC)

The introduction of new, fully-enclosed voting booths in future Serbian elections could allow voters to more easily photograph their ballots so it is essential that cell phones be banned from polling stations, the oppositional Get Going for Change movement stated in an Aug. 18 Instagram post.

In place of the portable screens mounted on desks used thus far, the State Electoral Commission has proposed introducing two-meter tall booths, comprising three immobile sides and an entry/exit curtain, shielding voters nearly completely from the on-site monitors and voting committee.

While such booths would facilitate greater privacy they also increase opportunity for voter fraud, said Get Going for Change.

As a solution, the movement proposed adding lockers to the process, i.e. requiring voters to deposit and lock their cell phones and any other recording devices in a locker before entering voting booths.

“Cell phone detection gates could also be positioned at the entrance [to booths], preventing the carrying of devices that could photograph ballots – coupled with appropriate regulations ensuring the dignity of voters and accessibility and ease in exercising one’s right to vote,” the IG post further suggests.

Meanwhile, the Monarchists Alliance has also dubbed the new voting booths as the regime’s attempt to lay the groundwork for electoral fraud, enabling bought or blackmailed voters to more easily photograph their ballots as proof of whom they voted for.

“The authorities are citing secrecy of the ballot but are actually procuring booths that will enable their bought or blackmailed voters to photograph their ballot in peace, without worrying about the voting committee intervening,” concluded Dusan Radosavljevic, the co-president of the Monarchists.