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Thousands demonstrate after irregularities in parliamentary elections in Serbia

Thousands demonstrate after irregularities in parliamentary elections in Serbia

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Thousands demonstrate after irregularities in parliamentary elections in Serbia
Thousands demonstrate after irregularities in parliamentary elections in Serbia

Thousands Voice Concerns Over Election Irregularities in Serbia

International observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the EU Parliament, and the European Council highlighted several "unusual occurrences" during the parliamentary election in Serbia on Monday. These irregularities encompassed instances of violence, vote buying, and ballot box stuffing with fake papers.

The opposition in Serbia claimed that tens of thousands of inhabitants from Bosnia's Serb republic, Republika Srpska, were transported to Belgrade illegally to cast their ballots.

Since taking office in 2014 (initially serving as Prime Minister), Aleksandar Vucic, the current leader, has chosen to call for new parliamentary elections frequently. Critics argue that Vucic utilizes this tactic to hinder opposition progress and maintain control.

  • International election observers, including the OSCE, EU, and European Council, uncovered various irregularities during parliamentary elections in Serbia, including violence, vote buying, and ballot box stuffing.
  • Serbian opposition alleges that thousands of Bosnian Serb residents from Republika Srpska were bused to Belgrade to vote illegally.
  • Aleksandar Vucic, who has been in power since 2014 and called for the new parliamentary elections, is frequently accused of using election calls to obstruct the opposition and maintain control.
  • International observers and election monitors face widespread criticism of the Serbian elections process, with many advocating for improvements and investigations into alleged irregularities.
  • Thousands of Serbian citizens took to the streets to protest against the alleged irregularities in the parliamentary elections.
  • The Serbian Progress Party, led by Vucic, is expected to maintain its dominant position in the newly elected parliament, with recent election results.
  • EU representatives plan to demonstrate in Brussels next week to express their concerns about the reported election irregularities in Serbia.

Source:

Additional Insights

EU Election Monitor Criticism:

  1. EU election observer Viola von Cramon condemned alleged irregularities, including organized voter busing and voter intimidation, and called for an international oversight and full investigation into the allegations.
  2. EU Commissioners Josep Borrell and Oliver Varhely urged Serbia to significantly improve its electoral process, emphasizing the importance of properly functioning democratic institutions for Serbia's EU accession process.

Opposition Claims:

  1. The opposition Serbia Against Violence alliance accused the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of widespread vote fraud.
  2. The alliance claimed that some 40,000 people were bused in from Bosnia to vote in Belgrade, and they demanded that the vote be annulled and held again.

International Observers' Reports:

  1. An international monitoring mission, including representatives from the OSCE, found irregularities such as isolated instances of violence, procedural irregularities, and allegations of organizing and busing voters to support the ruling party.
  2. The German Foreign Ministry noted other irregularities, including abuse of public funds, voter intimidation, and cases of vote-buying, which are unacceptable for a country with EU candidate status.

Government Response:

  1. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic rejected calls for an international probe, arguing that elections in Serbia should be managed by Serbian government institutions.
  2. The Serbian authorities denied allegations of widespread vote fraud, suggesting that the opposition protests the results due to lower-than-expected performances in the Belgrade city authorities vote.

Protests and Demonstrations:

  1. Thousands attended demonstrations in front of the state election commission headquarters in Belgrade, demanding the annulment of election results in the capital and throwing fake ballots.
  2. Opposition leaders, including Marinika Tepic, initiated 12-day hunger strikes in protest against perceived electoral fraud.

International Pressure:

  1. The U.S. State Department urged Serbia to work with OSCE observers to address issues impacting the electoral process.
  2. The EU and OSCE have been actively engaged in monitoring and addressing the alleged irregularities.

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