Elections in Serbia: Irregularities and abuses are reported daily, EP sends observers

Extraordinary parliamentary, provincial and partly local elections will be held in Serbia on Sunday, December 17.

The election campaign is coming to an end, and the opposition, public figures and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) report numerous irregularities and abuses every day.

As confirmed for TV News from Brussels, due to doubts about the election process, the European Parliament will send observers to Serbia.

At the beginning of the election campaign in Serbia, opposition politician Đorđe Miketić pointed to the so-called phantom voters. For example, a certain Radica was registered at his address. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić denied Miketić.

However, it turned out that no one lives in the entrance next door. After this affair, the president of the country, Aleksandar Vučić, called Miketić a disgrace, saying that he knows something that others do not. What the president knew, everyone soon found out. In the morning program on TV Pink, a porn video of Đorđe Miketić was played.

"BIA (Security Information Agency) instead of doing its job and protecting the security of the state, collects information about it. It deals with the private life of opposition politicians," Sofija Mandić told the Belgrade City Election Commission.

The most irregularities were recorded on the election lists. Actors, activists, journalists - these are just some of the citizens of Serbia whose personal data were misused, so their alleged signatures of support were found on the lists of numerous parties. Despite the reports, the competent authorities did not react.

"The first such case happened with Ruska List and one of my friends. I was pretty sure she didn't support that option. I called her and she told me she had no idea what I was talking about," said Mandić.

Investigative journalists also exposed vote buying. The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) has opened a call center in Belgrade, and the condition for the payment of daily wages is proof that the workers will vote for the ruling party.

"Ivana, tell me on December 17th if you can work? I can, yes... The daily wage is 9.000 and you need to vote before coming to work."

"It is absolutely buying votes, there is no dilemma. We saw on that video that that vote is paid for and even justified: it is proof that you are loyal to us, that you are ours," said Mandić.

On televisions with a national frequency, with the exception of sporadic appearances on the public service, there was almost no opposition.

Organizations that deal with media monitoring recorded a record official campaign, and as TV Vijesti learns, the European Parliament will also send its observers.