Incumbent Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has deployed the army and security forces in the city following polls indicating that he lost the elections to the electoral list of the student movement called Students Are Winning.
Vučić called for early elections after his government has been rocked by mass national protests organsied by students that were sparked by the Novi Sad tragedy.
A record turnout has been reported, with participation reaching 64.9% by 6 p.m., according to reports. The student movement heavily mobilised voters both locally and abroad.
Violent incidents have also been reported at polling stations, alongside allegations of voter intimidation and electoral irregularities. In Pančevo, masked men attacked young men associated with the student-backed list, while confrontations were also reported in Novi Sad. Election monitors have raised concerns about breaches of ballot secrecy, problems with voter lists and other irregularities.
The EU Ambassador to Serbia has raised his concerns about the incidents and stated that Serbian citizens have the right to excercise their democratic right to vote in a peaceful and safe environment. He called on all the actors to remain calm and refrain from violent provocations.
Feature image source by Radio Free Europe.
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