Record number of accredited observers for Kula local elections raises integrity concerns

A massive influx of accredited observers is set to break records in the upcoming local elections in Kula, where 1,600 individuals will monitor a total of only 40 polling stations. This averages to 40 observers per single polling location, leading experts to question the true purpose of such high numbers and who is actually being watched.

The Center for the Improvement of Local and Regional Policies, a relatively unknown entity, is among those monitoring the Kula elections. Notably, its list of observers includes Sandra Stojkovic, the Secretary-General of the Assembly of Vojvodina. Investigations into the Center’s registered address at Dunavska 12 revealed no sign of a physical office or an active observation mission.

Further investigations into neighboring Dunavska 13, the registered address for three other organizations, Youth Perspective, the Center for European Values, and the Institute for European Liberties, led instead to the offices of the "Gradske info" portal, owned by the sister of Minister Nemanje Starovic.

Long-term election monitors have raised alarms regarding these developments. Pavle Dimitrijevic from the CRTA organization noted an increasing trend of "quasi-observers" and "quasi-missions" appearing from one election cycle to the next, specifically designed to influence the electoral process.

These observers frequently hail from the public sector. For instance, the Institute for European Liberties includes:

Dario Puric from the "Bravo" City Movement stated that many of these individuals are known SNS officials from Zrenjanin who have historically been present at polling sites for intimidation purposes, but have only now sought formal accreditation.

CRTA experts suggest that the government is utilizing a "mirroring" propaganda technique to create noise and disrupt public communication. The goal of these quasi-observers is to devalue and delegitimize authentic reporting from polling stations.

The competitive landscape in Kula will see two distinct groups facing off: six pro-government missions totaling 812 people against 12 civic, student, and opposition missions with 785 observers.

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