Serbia Election Monitor Warns of Pressure and Media Bias Before Vote
The CRTA monitoring group said on Thursday that Serbian voters are facing pressure, violence and illegal surveillance before the October 25 parliamentary elections. It accused government-aligned media and politicians of spreading claims that the opposition planned unrest, and said many online articles warned of chaos on polling day. The group also criticised decisions that could make it harder for Serbians abroad to vote, including fewer polling stations and a requirement to follow Serbian polling hours.
CRTA’s report also points to unequal airtime: opposition parties reportedly received half the coverage of ruling parties on national TV, and only 15 percent of political airtime on public broadcaster RTS. It says observers face hostility, with accusations linking CRTA to outside spy agencies and a supposed plot against the state.
The watchdog further cites election administration abroad: about 22,000 diaspora voters may be affected by fewer polling stations and a rule requiring ballots according to Central European Time, potentially forcing some to vote overnight. It also says one in three monitored ruling-list campaign activities showed possible manipulation or legal violations.
The claims may deepen distrust among voters, especially diaspora Serbians and opposition supporters, if they see access or coverage as uneven. Independent monitors could face greater risk or reduced willingness to observe. International observers and media may scrutinize the vote more closely. The report’s impact may depend on institutional responses and how credible voters judge it.