# Serbia parliamentary election transparency concerns > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/serbia-parliamentary-election-transparency-concerns > Updated: 2026-10-07T16:51:54.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2. As parliamentary elections approach in Serbia, concerns regarding electoral transparency and media conduct have intensified. Initially, tensions emerged surrounding pre-election debates on the broadcaster Radio-televizija Srbije (RTS). The election observer organization CRTA declined an invitation to participate in a debate, stating they are observers rather than candidates, while criticizing RTS for attempting to “manipulate public perception.” Concurrently, the Bureau for Social Research (BIRODI) requested that the Republic Electoral Commission provide machine-readable election data to ensure transparency. Following CRTA’s refusal to participate in the RTS debate, the organization became the target of what the Shepherd Foundation described as a “sharp increase in negative media coverage and smear campaigns.” A monitoring study found that multiple media outlets, primarily tabloids, disseminated content aimed at undermining CRTA’s legitimacy. These attacks, which reportedly stem from government officials, party operatives, and social media, intensified as the election drew closer. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-07: CRTA election observer targeted by media smear campaigns The Shepherd Foundation reports a surge in smear campaigns and negative media coverage targeting the Serbian election observer organization CRTA during the election cycle. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/crta-election-observer-targeted-by-media-smear-campaigns ### 2026-09-26: Serbia election: CRTA declines RTS debate as BIRODI demands data transparency Serbian political actors and observers respond to RTS debate invitations, while BIRODI calls for more transparent, machine-readable election result publishing by the RIK. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/crta-rejects-rts-invitation-to-participate-in-pre-election-debate --- Cite as: Serbia parliamentary election transparency concerns. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/serbia-parliamentary-election-transparency-concerns