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2026-10-07 18:22 UTC → 2026-10-08 14:10 UTC ·
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Serbian overseas voting rights dispute intensifies
A The dispute has emerged regarding the Serbian Ministry overseas voting rights has intensified ahead of Foreign Affairs’ proposal the October 25 parliamentary elections. While over 110,000 diaspora citizens have registered to vote, the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) to abolish several overseas has approved only 93 polling stations across Europe, North America, worldwide. Opposition members and the Middle East. The Students in Blockade group has condemned the proposal, describing it as a “shameful attempt Student List continue to sabotage the electoral process” and a “direct attack on the constitutional rights of our citizens abroad.” Critics highlighted concerns regarding the use of security assessments as exclusionary criteria and the logistical difficulties of proposed voting times. The proposal protest, specifically mentions contesting the removal Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ failure to provide sufficient locations in several North American cities, including Toronto, high-concentration areas such as Vancouver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Thessaloniki, and Houston. In response, Foreign Minister Marko Đurić denied allegations of obstruction, calling the claims “complete lies.” Đurić stated that the Ministry has proposed opening 90 polling stations abroad, which he noted is approximately ten more than in 2023. He emphasized Sofia. Critics also argue that the final decision on the distribution of stations rests with the RIK and defended diplomatic staff against accusations of “sabotage,” characterizing the criticism as tying diaspora voting to Serbian local time (07:00 to 20:00) creates a political campaign based significant barrier to participation. Recent RIK decisions have focused on “deceptions and untruths.” Escalating the dispute, the electoral coalition ‘Studentska lista – Studenti pobeđuju’ organized a protest titled ‘Neće moći ove noći’ (It won’t work tonight) remapping existing stations rather than establishing new ones, which has resulted in front of the RIK. The group intends voters being reassigned to submit a formal objection, claiming that 11 polling stations operational distant locations; for example, residents in 2023 Vancouver have been closed and that 14 countries meeting the required interest threshold currently have no open stations. Activists warned that at least 12,000 voters may be forced directed to vote during the night, with some citizens in cities like Vancouver facing significant travel distances to reach the nearest location. The Toronto. RIK member Ivan Šebek has since launched an investigation into discrepancies regarding requested more precise data from the number Ministry of voters registered Foreign Affairs to vote abroad. justify the exclusion of certain cities. Additionally, the organization Transparency Serbia warned that the Ministry’s actions may be undermining constitutional voting rights.