Serbia, Early Parliamentary Elections, 25 October 2026

Following an invitation to observe the 25 October early parliamentary elections, based on the findings and a recommendation of the Needs Assessment Mission, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for these elections.

ODIHR carries out election observation across the OSCE region, on the invitation from the national authorities. Election observation missions assess the extent to which fundamental freedoms are respected in the campaign and if the elections are characterized by equality, universality, political pluralism, confidence, transparency and accountability. ODIHR’s mandate to observe elections comes from the OSCE commitments outlined in the 1990 OSCE Copenhagen Document, other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as national legislation. Since the Office’s establishment over 30 years ago, ODIHR has deployed more than 470 missions. ODIHR missions are firmly committed to transparency and openness in all aspects of its work and encourage media inquiries. All 57 OSCE participating States have committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations. Check how they are being implemented across the OSCE region in ODIHR’s Electoral Recommendations Database.

Find key information about the election observation mission and browse our reports below.

Mission at a glance

25 October 2026
Election day

14
Core team experts from 12 participating States, based in Belgrade

30
Long-term observers from 15 participating States deployed throughout the country

300
Short-term observers to be requested from participating States

Eoghan Murphy
Head of mission

26 October 2026
Preliminary findings published

Final report
Forthcoming

Attachment

International observers' findings: Serbia, Early Parliamentary Elections, 25 October 2026

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Summary

The 25 October early parliamentary elections saw active citizen engagement with high voter turnout and vigorous competition between two main contenders, but unfolded in an atmosphere of profound polarization, with the equality of campaign opportunities seriously compromised. Entrenched advantages enjoyed by the ruling party, including misuse of state resources, together with intimidation and pressure on voters, candidates, and civil society, as well as disruptions of campaign activities, further marred the electoral environment. Election preparations were managed efficiently and candidate registration was inclusive, although concerns remained about the impartiality of election administration, particularly at lower levels. Recent legislative changes addressed several longstanding shortcomings, while leaving some priority recommendations unaddressed. Widespread distrust in the integrity of the voter register persisted, compounded by inadequate public explanations from the authorities about noted irregularities. A pronounced bias in monitored media coverage in favour of the incumbent party, coupled with an online environment marked by inflammatory rhetoric and information manipulation, hampered voters’ ability to obtain impartial and reliable information. Election day saw high voter engagement and the International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) positively assessed all stages of the election day process in the vast majority of polling stations observed. Nevertheless, reported incidents of physical violence raised serious concerns and some procedural shortcomings were noted.

Press conference

Watch the recording of the press conference presenting the international observers’ preliminary findings and conclusions on the 25 October 2026 early parliamentary elections in Serbia.

Election-day observation

ODIHR will request the secondment of 300 short-term observers from OSCE participating States to follow the election day proceedings. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country in multinational teams of two which will observe:

the opening of polling stations
the voting
the counting of ballots
the tabulation of results at all levels.

For election day itself, delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the European Parliament (EP) will join efforts with the ODIHR mission. The day after the elections, ODIHR will issue a joint statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued some months after the end of the election process.

Long-term observation

The mission is led by Eoghan Murphy and consists of a core team of 14 experts based in Belgrade. In addition, 30 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 25 September.

The mission will assess whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation.

Observers will closely follow fundamental components of the elections such as:

election-related legislation and its implementation
the work of the election administration and other relevant bodies
voter registration
candidate registration
campaign environment and activities, including online and through social media platforms
institutional preparedness and effectiveness to detect and address disinformation, foreign and domestic misinformation and interference, co-operation with social media platforms
campaign finance, including its regulation, transparency and accountability
media environment and media coverage of the elections
the resolution of election-related disputes

The observers will also assess how prior ODIHR election related recommendations have been considered. The ODIHR EOM will conduct qualitative and quantitative monitoring of media coverage of the election campaign, including on social networks.

For election day itself, delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and the European Parliament (EP) will join efforts with the ODIHR mission.

The day after the elections, ODIHR, together with its international partners, will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued some months after the end of the election process.

Find all key documents from ODIHR’s observation of the 25 October 2026 early parliamentary elections in Serbia.

Report