As Serbia approaches its parliamentary elections on October 25, 2026, the role of election monitors, colloquially known as ‘controlori’ or ‘box guards’, has become increasingly critical amid rising allegations of electoral fraud and manipulation. These monitors are tasked with overseeing the voting process to prevent irregularities such as double voting and vote buying, issues that have intensified particularly in smaller towns across the country.
Dragan Đorđević, an experienced election monitor from Belgrade, underscores the importance of training for these roles. He notes that the ability to recognize and counteract potential fraud is crucial, as election days have increasingly resembled battlefields due to escalating accusations of organized voter manipulation. “If you notice something is wrong, you can refuse to sign the record, preventing the irregularity from being approved,” Đorđević told BBC in Serbian. His experience highlights the necessity for monitors to be well-trained and knowledgeable about the electoral process to effectively safeguard against fraud.
The allegations of electoral irregularities are not new to Serbia. They have been a persistent issue since the introduction of multi-party politics, reflecting a long-standing challenge within the country’s electoral system. The upcoming elections are expected to be contentious, with heightened scrutiny on the electoral process due to these ongoing concerns.
Election monitors play a vital role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. They are responsible for verifying voter lists, overseeing the secrecy of voting, and ensuring the proper counting and reporting of votes. The Republic Election Commission (RIK) forms these monitoring boards for each polling station, comprising both permanent and extended members. The permanent members include representatives from all parliamentary parties, while the extended members represent new political entrants in the electoral race.
Stefan Đurić from Niš, who has trained as a coordinator for election monitors, emphasizes the need for comprehensive training. He notes that monitors must be familiar with the electoral law and potential irregularities, such as the use of so-called ‘Bulgarian trains’—a method of vote manipulation involving organized voter transport and multiple voting. “Every government comes up with something new to manipulate,” Đurić remarked, highlighting the evolving nature of electoral fraud tactics.
The role of election monitors is not limited to overseeing the voting process. They are also tasked with preparing electoral materials, ensuring the accuracy of voter lists, and maintaining the integrity of the vote count. Their work begins early on election day and continues until all votes are counted and reported. Knowledge of the electoral process is their best tool against manipulation, as those attempting to commit fraud are often deterred by monitors who are well-versed in the procedures.
The significance of these roles is further underscored by the scale of the task. With over 8,200 polling stations across Serbia, more than 16,000 people are needed to ensure that each electoral list is adequately represented and monitored. This extensive network of monitors is crucial for maintaining the transparency and fairness of the elections.
As the elections draw near, the effectiveness of these monitors will be put to the test. The allegations of electoral fraud and the measures taken to counteract them will likely impact voter turnout and public trust in the electoral process. The role of election monitors, therefore, remains a cornerstone of Serbia’s efforts to uphold democratic principles and ensure the integrity of its elections.
