Serbia's Electoral Commission Imposes Unified Voting Hours Forcing Diaspora to Vote at Night

Serbia's electoral commission adopted new rules requiring diaspora voters to follow Central European Time for polling hours, forcing Serbian citizens in countries like the United States, Australia, and Indonesia to cast ballots during overnight hours. The controversial decision, passed by a narrow margin of 20 to 7, has drawn criticism from commission members who warn it undermines voting rights and may create safety concerns. The change comes ahead of elections where the ruling Serbian Progressive Party faces strong opposition from a student-led movement with reported support among diaspora voters.

Serbia's electoral commission voted narrowly to standardize polling hours across all diaspora voting locations using Central European Time, a departure from previous election procedures. This creates severe practical obstacles for Serbian citizens in distant time zones, requiring some voters to participate during late-night or early-morning hours. The geographical distribution of approved polling stations has also drawn scrutiny, with several countries experiencing insufficient coverage despite meeting minimum voter registration thresholds.

The timing of this policy shift coincides with an upcoming election where the ruling party faces unexpectedly strong competition from a newly formed opposition movement. Commission members dissenting from the decision raised concerns about voter disenfranchisement and questioned the Foreign Ministry's involvement in establishing polling procedures, suggesting the change lacks historical precedent or documented justification.