A total of 42,1 percent of voters voted in parliamentary elections by 16:00, tensions marked the first half the day, irregularities recorded

A total of 42,1 percent of voters registered in the Voters’ List voted in parliamentary elections by 16:00 (margin of error 1 percent).

In comparison, voter turnout by 16:00 in the 2016 parliamentary elections was 39,6 percent, and 34,6 percent in the 2020 elections.

On the territory of Belgrade, voter turnout in parliamentary elections is slightly lower than in the rest of Serbia, amounting to 37,9 percent (margin of error 0,7 percent).

CRTA’s election observation mission assessed that the first half of the election day was marked by tensions and verbal attacks, while cases of physical violence were recorded in front of some polling stations as well.

CRTA’s election observation mission condemns all violent acts and invites all electoral participants, members of polling boards and all citizens of Serbia not to allow the atmosphere of violence and fear to characterize the election day, and restrict citizens from the free exercise of their will.

CRTA’s election observation mission has submitted five complaints to the police so far, on account of electoral corruption. Two complaints refer to cases of “carousel voting” that CRTA’s observers recorded in Kula and Surcin, and three other to cases of vote buying identified in Majdanpek, Zitoradja and Cukarica.

Sporadic cases of irregularities, such as the inadequate preparation of polling stations, parallel lists of voters and breaches of secrecy of voting, were recorded at 10 percent of polling stations in Serbia and 5 percent in Belgrade. CRTA’s observers continue to monitor developments at these polling stations, in order to assess whether the intensity of identified irregularities increases or they remain in the scope of individual cases by the end of the day.

Large crowds were recorded at polling stations in Kursumlija, Tutin, Bujanovac and Raska, designated for voters from Kosovo and Metohija. A large number of buses with voters arrived in the morning hours to these polling stations. Polls were not adequately prepared, which additionally contributed to crowds at polling stations. The simultaneous presence of dozens of citizens was recorded at some polling stations, thus breaching the secrecy of voting. Intensified control from the side of the police was also identified in front of polling stations.

The next conference of the CRTA’s election observation mission, scheduled for 20:15, can be followed live at the CRTA’s Facebook page or YouTube channel.