Diaspora faces voting challenges

Serbian Americans and other members of the Serbian diaspora face significant logistical challenges in voting in the October 25 early legislative elections, with only 93 polling stations open abroad. The diaspora must vote from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Belgrade time, regardless of their location, which poses difficulties for those in different time zones.

Diaspora mobilizes for elections

The Serbian diaspora is mobilizing to participate in the elections, having organized support rallies for students who led a two-year rebellion, and has financially supported and communicated with the international community. The diaspora has also hosted those who traveled to Brussels and Strasbourg to advocate for their cause and now seeks to be part of the political process in Serbia, despite obstacles imposed by the government.

Limited polling stations abroad

According to reports, 106,000 voters have registered to vote abroad, compared to 40,000 in 2023. However, nearly 30,000 citizens may not be able to vote where they live due to the limited number of polling stations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Communities, and the Electoral Commission (RIK) decided to open only 93 polling stations worldwide, excluding nearly 30 countries where Serbian citizens reside.

Voting rules and legal disputes

The exact number of Serbs living in the diaspora and having the right to vote is unknown, but their population is estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands. According to the law, embassies and consulates are required to open a polling station if there are more than 100 registered voters. However, in some cases, such as in Abu Dhabi or Nice, where hundreds of citizens requested a polling station, this was refused.

Long distances and time zones

For example, in Canada, those living in Vancouver will have to go to Toronto, which is 3,000 kilometers away. In the United States, residents of San Francisco will have to go to Los Angeles; in Australia, where Serbs are scattered across the continent, they will have to choose between Melbourne and Sydney. To make the voting process even more difficult, the authorities require that voting take place "at Serbian time," from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Belgrade time, which is in the middle of the night for those living in other time zones.

Criticism and legal challenges

"Some members of the Electoral Commission, who voted against the decision, consider it 'an illegal precedent,'" says Miloš Milenković, who lives in San Francisco. "The institutions have done everything to complicate the process," he adds. The Student List filed a complaint with the RIK last week, gathering several hundred people, including motorcyclists and war veterans who came to protect them.

Diplomatic support and grassroots efforts

Thirty diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed solidarity in a statement, as did fifty former ambassadors and diplomats, in open letters. Several informal groups from the diaspora have addressed the institutions of the European Union, the OSCE mission, and the American Congress, demanding a response and pressure on the power in Belgrade. Nevertheless, the RIK rejected all complaints, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is deaf to the concerns.

Creative resistance and determination

Also, "l'inat" (the defiance), so characteristic of the region, is asserting itself, combined with humor. The Vote BNB website was launched, a network that connects those who have cars or a place to offer with those who will make the journey to open polling stations. "We will travel thousands of kilometers if necessary, but we will go to vote for a real change and a future in Serbia," warns Miloš Milenković.

Uncertain impact on election outcome

Will the diaspora vote make a difference? It seems that for both the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the Student List, every vote counts.