Fourth Regular Press Conference of the Republic Electoral Commission

17 December 2023

The Republic Electoral Commission held its fourth regular press conference on 17 December 2023, at 3.05 pm where the Director of the Republic Statistical Office Miladin Kovacevic reported the voter turnout, stating that, by 2 pm on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, without Kosovo-Metohija, 32.38% of the total number of registered voters had taken the vote. 32.62% of eligible citizens had taken the vote in the region of Vojvodina, 32.13% in the region of Sumadija and Western Serbia, 33.49% in the region of Southern and Eastern Serbia and 31.86% in the Belgrade region.

The Chairperson of the Republic Electoral Commission Vladimir Dimitrijevic said that the claims of one of the proclaimed electoral lists had been checked, that in Kragujevac, at polling stations number 30 and 31, persons had been caught controlling citizens turning out at said polling stations with lists and envelopes. In the communication with the secretary of the municipal electoral commission in Kragujevac, it was determined that the members of the polling boards were taking voting materials outside the polling stations, according to the legally established procedure.

Speaking about the aforementioned gathering of citizens in front of Stark Arena, Vladimir Dimitrijevic stated:

"I was informed by the REC members Vladimir Dragas, REC representative for Don’t Let Belgrade D(r)own and Vladimir Petrovic, REC representative for the Party of Freedom and Justice, who had appeared there on their own initiative, that people are gathering in front of Stark Arena and that they have been physically prevented from attend the rally. I would like to point out that there is no polling station in Stark Arena and that the Law does not prohibit people from assembling and, if that was indeed their intention, they should go and vote at a polling station."

He added that the competence and authority of REC members relate exclusively to coordination with local election commissions and polling boards, and not to communication with the assembled citizens, adding that, if there had been any incidents, he strongly condemns any attempts at violence and that it is necessary to report them to the competent authorities.

Vladimir Dimitrijevic pointed out that many citizens have dual citizenship of the Republic of Srpska and the Republic of Serbia. If they are our citizens and registered on the voter register, that is the only way they can vote, he pointed out.

The next press conference will be held at 5.05 pm.