While the authorities declaratively advocate for the implementation of ODIHR recommendations, in practice they maintain clearly undemocratic electoral conditions, once again visible in the campaign in these two local communities. Moreover, there are signs of further deterioration in the conditions under which the campaign unfolded, as both Zaječar and Kosjerić were marked by the open, systemic use of propaganda and physical violence.

These are the first elections taking place in the context of a level of social mobilization that can be described as historic. This mobilization followed the collapse of the canopy and the death of 16 citizens in Novi Sad, which triggered student and civic protests that have continued for more than half a year.

The protests led to more effective citizen organizing in local communities and the emergence of a more serious electoral challenge to the authorities. In response, the ruling authorities — both national and local — resorted to intensified mobilization and the use of state and public resources, as well as other methods of electoral manipulation. Through the most influential media outlets in the country, a campaign was conducted in favor of the ruling local lists.

Pressure from the authorities on citizens in Zaječar (47,357 voters) and Kosjerić (8,897 voters) went beyond the “normalized” practices of electoral corruption and voter pressure and spilled over into an increase in verbal and physical violence “on the ground.”

During the final three weeks of the campaign, CRTA’s observation mission recorded 71 cases of targeting and intimidation through negative campaigning, as well as verbal and physical violence against opposition activists, journalists, and citizens; 90 appearances by state officials in the campaign for the local elections; 70 cases of potential misuse of public resources, offices, symbols, and activities of public authorities for party promotion; and nearly 70 broadcasts of misleading political advertising in favor of the ruling authorities, containing elements of inappropriate and dehumanizing rhetoric in the period immediately before the elections were called and during the campaign. More than one third of all activities of state officials across the country during the final weeks of the campaign were recorded in the areas of Zaječar and Kosjerić.

Years of systemic manipulation of institutions and laws, combined with the persistent promotion of impunity, have given elections in Serbia an undemocratic character and have encouraged increasingly frequent resort to illegitimate and illegal forms of electoral engineering in favor of those in power.