Serbia election monitoring begins as ODIHR deploys mission

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has launched its election observation mission in Serbia ahead of the extraordinary parliamentary elections scheduled for October 25. Led by Eogan Murphy, the mission includes a core team of 14 international experts based in Belgrade, 30 long-term observers to be deployed across the country starting September 25, and 300 short-term observers arriving near election day.

The mission will monitor campaign activities, including social media usage, campaign financing, the work of election administration, media reporting, and mechanisms for addressing disinformation. Observers will meet with government officials, political parties, civil society, and the media to ensure an independent assessment of the electoral process.

Concurrently, Rodoljub Šabić, a member of the REM Council, has raised concerns regarding the adequacy of media monitoring. He noted that current monitoring follows a 2023 methodology that may not be adapted to the specificities of the upcoming extraordinary elections. Šabić also criticized the ongoing deadlock in electing a new REM president, suggesting that the delay in appointing leadership is hindering the Council's ability to respond effectively to critical issues during the campaign period.