Citizens’ groups from Europe, Canada, the United States and the United Arab Emirates are calling for urgent diplomatic and legal action to protect voters, journalists, election observers and peaceful protesters before, during and after Serbia’s parliamentary elections.
Forty-four informal groups representing Serbian citizens in the diaspora have appealed to international institutions and officials, urging them to use available diplomatic and legal mechanisms to help protect citizens ahead of Serbia’s parliamentary elections scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2026.
In a letter addressed to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the Venice Commission and members of the U.S. Congress, the signatories identified the physical safety of people in Serbia as their primary concern.
They called for protections for voters, election committee members, journalists, domestic and international election observers, and participants in peaceful protests.
“We invite you to use your diplomatic channels and legal instruments, within the limits of international law and with full respect for Serbia’s sovereignty, to help protect the integrity of the electoral process,” the letter states.
Concerns Extend Beyond Election Day
The groups emphasized that international attention should continue after polling stations close, with particular attention to the safety of election participants and the handling of reported incidents.
As grounds for their concerns, the signatories cited the OSCE/ODIHR interim report published on October 9, the conclusions of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s pre-election delegation on October 14, and a statement by the EU Delegation to Serbia on October 13.
According to the letter, these assessments raised concerns about political polarization, unequal campaign conditions, pressure on voters, problems with voter registration lists and reported incidents of violence.
The OSCE/ODIHR has established an election observation mission for Serbia’s October 25 parliamentary elections. Its interim report addresses the campaign environment and issues raised by election stakeholders, including concerns about voter registration data.
The diaspora groups are urging international institutions to call for impartial and proportionate police conduct, protection for everyone participating in the electoral process, and prompt, transparent and credible investigations into every reported case of violence.
Diaspora Voting Access Also a Concern
The letter also highlights obstacles facing Serbian citizens who wish to vote from abroad.
According to figures cited by the signatories, more than 102,000 citizens registered to vote in the diaspora, but the groups argue that the number of overseas polling stations is insufficient and their distribution uneven.
They also raised concerns about voting hours being determined according to Serbia’s time zone, meaning some voters in other countries may have to cast their ballots overnight.
The arrangements for overseas voting have drawn wider scrutiny. Serbian election officials confirmed that 102,147 voters had registered to vote abroad across 93 polling stations. The decision to follow Serbia’s voting schedule has raised concerns about access for citizens living in different time zones.
The 44 groups are calling on international institutions and governments to use the diplomatic and legal tools available to them, within international law and with respect for Serbia’s sovereignty, to help safeguard electoral integrity and the safety of citizens.
The appeal is signed by informal groups from across Europe, Canada, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, reflecting concerns among parts of the Serbian diaspora about electoral conditions, physical safety and the ability of citizens abroad to participate in the democratic process.
