Election day in Serbia was marked by significant disruptions, with over a hundred incidents reported across the country, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the voting process. These incidents, which included physical attacks on journalists and voters, occurred as citizens went to the polls on October 25, 2026, to elect a new National Assembly.

One of the more severe incidents took place in Doljevac, where approximately thirty individuals stormed polling stations, physically assaulting those present and disrupting the voting process. During this altercation, a member of the electoral board was slapped. The Republic Election Commission (RIK) addressed the incident, noting that an individual attempted to vote using multiple identification cards, which is strictly prohibited. This led to a confrontation among electoral board members, and the police were called to the scene to take statements and initiate further proceedings.

In Kragujevac, a member of a mobile team from the “Studentska lista” was attacked while trying to prevent vote theft. The attackers pursued him to a nearby gas station, where they beat him, resulting in a broken nose. The victim later posted a photo from the University Clinical Center Kragujevac on Instagram, accompanied by the song “Živeti slobodno” (Living Free).

Journalists were also targeted in these election-related incidents. In the village of Pavlovac near Vranje, journalists Mihailo Stojković from “Vranjske” and Jelena Stojković from “Večernje novosti” were attacked after investigating reports of electoral irregularities. Mihailo Stojković described the attack, stating that they were initially approached by a few individuals, which escalated into a larger group chasing and assaulting them with kicks and stones as they tried to reach their car.

Another notable incident occurred in Pančevo, where young men leaving a polling station were attacked by others wielding sticks and torches. This altercation took place in front of the Agricultural School and was shared on social media by Marinika Tepić from the “Evropska Srbija” list, who highlighted the violence on her Instagram account.

These incidents underscore the challenges faced during the voting process in Serbia, where electoral integrity has previously been scrutinized. The safety of journalists has been a recurring concern, as media organizations have repeatedly raised alarms about the risks they face while covering elections.

The Republic Election Commission confirmed attempts of multiple voting with different IDs at polling stations, further complicating the situation. The commission’s president, Vladimir Dimitrijević, acknowledged the severity of these incidents and the need for police intervention. He emphasized that the use of multiple identification cards for voting is absolutely unacceptable and highlighted the subsequent altercations that ensued.

The reported violence and irregularities have cast a shadow over the electoral process, with potential implications for public trust in democratic institutions. The full extent of these incidents and their impact on voter turnout and election results remains unclear, as comprehensive reporting from all affected areas is still pending. The presence of over 16,000 observers from domestic and international organizations was intended to ensure transparency, but the widespread nature of the incidents suggests significant challenges remain in safeguarding the electoral process.

As the situation develops, the authorities are expected to address these incidents and take necessary actions to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. The outcome of these elections will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally, given the reported disruptions and their potential impact on Serbia’s democratic framework.