The ruling right-wing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) led by President Aleksandar Vucic has claimed a decisive victory in the parliamentary election, despite reports of significant irregularities. Exit polls show the SNS winning 47 percent of the vote and projected to hold about 130 seats in the 250-member assembly. The main opposition Serbia Against Violence (SPN) alliance won about 23 percent of votes, according to the projections.
The election was widely seen as a referendum on Vucic’s government, especially in the wake of two mass shootings in May and rising inflation. Opposition parties and rights watchdogs have accused Vucic and the SNS of voter bribery, media censorship, violence against opponents, corruption, and ties to organized crime, all of which have been denied by Vucic and his allies.
Irregularities during the election were reported by monitoring organizations and opposition leaders, but the SNS celebrated their victory despite these allegations. Reports of organized voter arrivals, photographing of ballots, procedural errors, and attacks on election monitors have marred the election. Opposition leader Radomir Lazovic described the electoral process as potentially the “dirtiest” they have had.
Accusations on social media of allowing unregistered voters from neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina to cast illegal ballots further added to the chaos. Prime Minister Ana Brnabic dismissed these claims and accused reports of spreading chaos. Official results are set to be announced late on Monday.