Update
Where the UVR Commission stands as the 31 May deadline nears
The UVR Commission is operational. It has adopted its rules of procedure, work plan, budget, and aud...
It has been confirmed that, although the authorities declaratively advocate the implementation of ODIHR recommendations, in practice they create conditions that do not allow for the free expression of voters’ will.
The pre-election campaign in the two local communities was marked by systematically conducted institutional pressure, as well as media and physical violence that led to a voting day filled with fear and anxiety among citizens.
Election day in Kosjerić was marked by an atmosphere on the brink of violence, while in Zaječar the results do not reflect the will of the citizens, since serious irregularities were recorded at as many as 19 percent of polling stations. Voter turnout was record high in both communities: in Kosjerić 84.2 percent of registered voters went to the polls, while in Zaječar turnout reached 63.6 percent.
These were the first elections held in the context of a level of social mobilization that can be described as historic, following the collapse of the canopy in Novi Sad and the death of 16 citizens, which triggered student and civic protests that have continued for more than eight months.
The protests led to more effective organization of citizens within local communities and the emergence of a stronger electoral challenge. As a result, the 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.
The pre-election campaign in the two local communities was marked by systematically conducted institutional pressure, as well as media and physical violence that led to a voting day filled with fear and anxiety among citizens.
Election day in Kosjerić was marked by an atmosphere on the brink of violence, while in Zaječar the results do not reflect the will of the citizens, since serious irregularities were recorded at as many as 19 percent of polling stations. Voter turnout was record high in both communities: in Kosjerić 84.2 percent of registered voters went to the polls, while in Zaječar turnout reached 63.6 percent.
These were the first elections held in the context of a level of social mobilization that can be described as historic, following the collapse of the canopy in Novi Sad and the death of 16 citizens, which triggered student and civic protests that have continued for more than eight months.
The protests led to more effective organization of citizens within local communities and the emergence of a stronger electoral challenge. As a result, the 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.
Photo: Nebojša Jovanović / FoNet. A woman casting her vote in Kosjerić elections.
Since the calling of the elections, CRTA observers monitored the work of the local election administration and the campaign on the ground in Zaječar and Kosjerić. On election day more than 400 observers were deployed at and outside polling stations, as well as in mobile teams. All polling stations were covered, 29 in Kosjerić and 69 in Zaječar.
CRTA observers monitored events from the opening and preparation of polling stations, through the voting process during the entire day and the counting of ballots, all the way to the public posting of the polling board minutes. CRTA’s legal team followed the electoral process until the end, that is until the proclamation of the final election results, responding legally to violations of the law and the undermining of electoral integrity.
CRTA observers monitored events from the opening and preparation of polling stations, through the voting process during the entire day and the counting of ballots, all the way to the public posting of the polling board minutes. CRTA’s legal team followed the electoral process until the end, that is until the proclamation of the final election results, responding legally to violations of the law and the undermining of electoral integrity.
Photo: Nebojša Jovanović / FoNet. Police cordon protecting a private company that citizens suspect serves as a base for vote buying and organized transport of voters.
