CRTA observation mission reports

CRTA has observed every election cycle in Serbia since 2016, applying methodology grounded in international standards for citizen observation. The findings have documented organized voter migration, pressure on voters, irregularities in election administration, and the systematic advantages enjoyed by the ruling majority throughout the campaign period. This section brings together CRTA's observation reports - the evidence base for understanding how elections in Serbia actually work.

April

CRTA deployed mobile observation missions across 10 local self-government units on 29 March, visiting 86% of polling stations. Election day was marked by violence - particularly in Bor, Kula, and Bajina Bašta - organized intimidation near polling stations, mass photographing of ballots, parallel voter records, and vote-buying infrastructure in nearby facilities. Police repeatedly failed to act against perpetrators, allowing them to withdraw without consequences. Para-observer missions with links to the ruling party were present at polling stations and in some cases directly influenced polling boards. CRTA rated election day from poor to very poor.

Election day observation repor

March

Election day in 10 municipalities was marked by serious incidents of violence, particularly in Bor, Kula, and Bajina Bašta, overshadowing a wide range of electoral irregularities observed across the country. CRTA reported systemic issues including voter pressure, breaches of ballot secrecy, and parallel voter tracking, alongside a troubling failure of police to adequately respond to violence. The events reinforced concerns about institutional misuse, unequal electoral conditions, and the broader erosion of both electoral integrity and citizen security.

June 2025

The first elections since the beginning of the crisis were held in Zaječar and Kosjerić. According to the assessment of CRTA’s Election Observation Mission, election day in Kosjerić was neither free nor fair, while in Zaječar the results did not reflect the will of the citizens, as serious irregularities were recorded at as many as 19% of polling stations.

CRTA Observation Mission Reports

Reports published after elections, based on long-term observation of the campaign and short-term observation of the election day.

2026 – Campaigning without the paperwork – EOM Report

2026 Local elections: Election day observation report

2025 Zaječar and Kosjerić local elections: long-term observation report

2024 Belgrade Elections: Final Election Observation Report

2023 Parliamentary Elections: Final election observation report

2022 Presidential Elections: Final election observation report

2022 Referendum: Report on the observation of the referendum to change the constitution

2020 Parliamentary Elections: Final report with recommendations

2018 Belgrade elections: Final report

2017 Presidential elections: Final observation report

Update

Legal and institutional framework

Five electoral and anti-corruption laws were rewritten inside the election year, creating the basis for eight of 54 ODIHR recommendations to be fulfilled, only one a priority one.

Update

Media and information

In RTS's Dnevnik 2 the ruling majority received 96 per cent of the time given to political actors and the opposition four, while the regulator remained without a functioning council.

Update

Pre-election environment

More than 1,200 activities by senior state officials in four months, 18 per cent of them with elements of the misuse of public resources, and almost a billion euros announced.

Update

Voter register

Four of the seven months left for the voter register audit went on seeking access to basic data. The Commission's report is due by 28 October 2026.

Update

Observation methodology

Observation is not confined to election day: it is permanent civic infrastructure, built because those who would shape the outcome irregularly now act before elections are called.

Update

Political context

More than 600 manipulative headlines discredited the government's critics between January and August, while a new actor emerged with the capacity to match the ruling coalition.

Brief

Election day observation report – local elections 2026

Local elections were held on March 29 in 10 local self-government units: Aranđelovac, Bajina Bašta, ...

Update

Election day observation report – local elections 2026

Local elections were held on March 29 in 10 local self-government units: Aranđelovac, Bajina Bašta, Bor, Kladovo, Knjaževac, Kula, Lučani, Majdanpek, Sevojno, Smederevska Palanka

Update

CRTA on election day: Violence overshadowed all other problems

Violence marked election day in several municipalities, overshadowing widespread irregularities and raising serious concerns about the role of institutions in protecting voters.