After the Medical Chamber, elections in the Chamber of Medical Nurses and Technicians of Serbia loom: Irregularities already reported

Following the elections for the Medical Chamber, Serbia is preparing for elections for the sixth convocation of the Chamber of Medical Nurses and Technicians, scheduled for June 7. However, irregularities have already been reported, casting a shadow over the electoral process.

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One of the reasons my candidacy was rejected is that it was determined that one of the signatories supported the candidacy of another member, and when I checked the list, it turned out to be my own sister.

Independent candidates allege that certain polling stations are being illogically closed, and candidacies are being rejected without proper justification. Filip Lazarevski, a radiological technician and candidate, stated that his candidacy was rejected because a signatory supporting him was found to have also supported another candidate. Upon investigation, Lazarevski discovered his sister's signature had been falsified, prompting him to initiate legal proceedings.

Lazarevski further noted that out of nearly 40 independent candidates, half have had their candidacies rejected. Only nine received official explanations and a short period to rectify deficiencies, while others received no feedback at all. "Absolute silence. As if they never ran, as if they never submitted papers, absolutely nothing," Lazarevski described the lack of communication.

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Absolute silence. As if they never ran, as if they never submitted papers, absolutely nothing.

His colleague, Bojana Vučković, also a radiological technician and candidate, reported a similar experience, receiving no written explanation regarding any deficiencies in her candidacy or its rejection. Beyond candidate issues, voters are also affected. The polling station in Kula, where two independent candidates emerged, was closed without explanation. Instead of relocating it to Odžaci, a 10-minute drive away, it was moved to Apatin, over an hour away, which candidates believe is a deliberate attempt to demotivate voters.

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I did not receive any written explanation that there were deficiencies regarding the documentation in my candidacy, nor that the candidacy was rejected - absolutely nothing.

Both Lazarevski and Vučković agree that politics has infiltrated professional spheres, which they deem unacceptable for an institution like the Chamber of Medical Nurses and Health Technicians. The Chamber has not yet publicly commented on the accusations. When approached, the Vojvodina branch directed inquiries to the Central Election Commission, which reportedly told other media outlets that the final voter count would be published three days before the election and that no polling stations would be organized within health facilities.

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Politics cannot be present at all in an institution like the Chamber of Medical Nurses and Health Technicians; it is unacceptable, and that is one of the reasons I ran for the position of delegate for the 6th convocation.