NGO Demands More Polling Stations, Better Voting Conditions Abroad

European Movement in Serbia (BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV/MO)

The European Movement in Serbia and its Forum for International Relations have given full and unequivocal support to the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ diplomats who have publicly addressed the serious errors in how voting is being organized for Serbian citizens abroad.

Unofficially, over 110,000 expats have registered to vote in upcoming Oct. 25 snap parliamentary elections, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – which is in charge of enabling emigrants to vote – has been accused of obstructing voting abroad by offering inadequate conditions.

The non-governmental European Movement in Serbia has condemned the Ministry over this fact, stating that the institution has failed to justify both the low number of polling stations and the necessity for emigrants having to vote at night in certain parts of the world.

Over 30 Serbian diplomats have issued a joint statement making these very points publicly.

“Their choice to speak out represents an act of professional integrity, civil courage and responsibility to the state and its citizens, as well as a refusal to silently abide by actions that endanger voting rights and additionally undermine faith in state institutions,” the European Movement in Serbia said in its press release.

The Movement went on to underscore that the diplomats’ decision to speak out must not result in pressures, detraction or any professional backlash.

Additionally, the Movement demanded that the Ministry immediately propose – and the State Electoral Commission without delay approve – additional polling stations proportional to the number of geographic distribution of registered voters abroad and enable said expats to cast their ballots during the daytime hours of their local time zone.