Serbia elections: High turnout but widespread photographing of ballots
CRTA observers report photographing of ballots at 25% of polling stations nationally and at over half in Belgrade; a police complaint was filed in Veternik.
Voter turnout in the morning hours of election day in Serbia was notably high, but observers reported numerous irregularities that raise concerns about the conduct of the vote.
The domestic observation mission CRTA said the most frequent problem was voters photographing their ballot papers. That practice was recorded at 25% of polling stations across Serbia.
In Belgrade the phenomenon was especially pronounced: photographing of ballots was reported at more than half of polling stations, a development observers warned undermines ballot secrecy and can create pressure on voters.
Key findings from observers
CRTA also noted that at 9% of polling stations multiple irregularities occurred together — a pattern that can point to attempts to establish illegitimate control over voting. Those combinations included unauthorized presence of third parties, photographing of ballots, and interference by certain foreign observation teams in the work of polling boards.
Observers recorded inconsistent use of the spray used to mark voters at 12% of polling stations, a procedural lapse that could affect the integrity of voter lists and the marking process.
In Veternik CRTA filed a complaint with police alleging suspected vote-buying and what observers described using the term "Bulgarian train".
Observers said the mix of high turnout and widespread procedural breaches — especially the large number of photographed ballots — threatens the secrecy of the ballot and heightens the risk of undue influence on voters.
Photo: press material from the event
