Students claim election commission plans to alter polling stations for fraud

A group of students protesting alleged election irregularities claims the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) plans to alter the design of polling stations across Serbia. The proposed changes involve introducing curtains, which the students argue would facilitate the "unhindered photographing of ballots, pressure on voters, and Bulgarian trains" – a term referring to organized voter manipulation.

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This idea, as they announced on Instagram, involves the introduction of curtains - which, according to their assessment, would consequently enable the unhindered photographing of ballots, pressure on voters, and Bulgarian trains.

In a statement posted on Instagram, the students asserted that these changes are being considered precisely when over 26,000 citizens are undergoing training as election monitors. They believe the commission is aware that election fraud will not succeed this time and that every polling station will be protected. To counter potential rigging, the students are encouraging citizens to register on the website blokade.org to increase the number of monitors and "physically prevent theft."

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It is clear to them that election theft will not pass this time and that every polling station will be protected.

President Aleksandar Vučić commented on the new ballot booth screens, stating they are being acquired based on a recommendation from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). He noted the procurement would cost between seven and eight million euros, adding that Serbia is fulfilling all ODIHR recommendations. The students, however, view these changes with deep suspicion, seeing them as a potential tool for manipulation rather than an improvement in electoral integrity.

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The only way to deal with this is for citizens to register on the website blokade.org, in order to increase the number of controllers and physically prevent theft.