# Serbian overseas voting rights dispute intensifies

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/serbian-overseas-voting-rights-dispute
> Updated: 2026-10-07T06:39:37.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 3.

The dispute regarding Serbian overseas voting rights has intensified ahead of the October 25 parliamentary elections. While over 110,000 diaspora citizens have registered to vote, the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) has approved only 93 polling stations worldwide.

Opposition members and the Student List continue to protest, specifically contesting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ failure to provide sufficient locations in high-concentration areas such as Vancouver, Thessaloniki, and Sofia. Critics also argue that tying diaspora voting to Serbian local time (07:00 to 20:00) creates a significant barrier to participation. 

Recent RIK decisions have focused on remapping existing stations rather than establishing new ones, which has resulted in voters being reassigned to distant locations; for example, residents in Vancouver have been directed to vote in Toronto. RIK member Ivan Šebek has requested more precise data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to justify the exclusion of certain cities. Additionally, the organization Transparency Serbia warned that the Ministry’s actions may be undermining constitutional voting rights.

## Claims

- More than 110,000 citizens have registered to vote abroad for the October 25 elections. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) approved 93 polling stations worldwide. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- RIK member Ivan Šebek requested precise data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the number of registered voters in each foreign city. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Student List organized a protest titled 'We Won't Be Able to Do This Tonight' in front of the RIK. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The RIK decided to modify the scope of existing polling stations without opening new ones. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Voting for the diaspora is tied to Serbian local time, from 7:00 to 20:00. (single source)
- The organization Transparency Serbia claims the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is endangering the voting rights of citizens abroad. (single source)
- The Commission for Revision of the Voter List rejected a request from the opposition and civil sector for electronic voter list extracts. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-07: Serbia diaspora voting dispute intensifies over polling station locations

Serbian opposition and student groups are protesting the RIK's decision to limit diaspora polling stations, alleging that insufficient locations and time restrictions will hinder voting rights for over 110,000.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/students-protest-serbian-electoral-commission-over-diaspora-voting-rules

### 2026-10-04: Marko Đurić denies obstructing Serbian overseas voting

Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić denied claims that his ministry is obstructing overseas voting, citing a record number of processed applications and proposed polling stations.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marko-uri-denies-obstructing-serbian-overseas-voting

### 2026-10-04: Serbian students protest proposal to cut overseas voting locations

Serbian students have condemned a Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposal to eliminate many overseas polling stations, calling it an attack on the constitutional voting rights of the diaspora.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbian-students-protest-proposal-to-cut-overseas-voting-locations

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Cite as: Serbian overseas voting rights dispute intensifies. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/serbian-overseas-voting-rights-dispute