Serbia's Minority Council Vote: Turnout Low, Incumbent Lists Lead

Serbia's Republic Electoral Commission (RIK) published preliminary results on the evening of Monday, 9 November, for the 8 November elections to national minority councils. Twenty-one councils were chosen by direct vote and two, the Russian and Gorani councils, by electoral assemblies. About 481,800 people were on the special minority voter roll, voting at 949 polling stations for 52 lists.

Turnout: from 9% to 47%

RIK member Sofija Mandić estimated that between 30% and 40% of registered voters took part, with the highest participation among Bosniaks and Hungarians. Figures for processed polling stations, published by RIK and compiled by local media, show wide variation: roughly 47% among Rusyns, 45% among Slovaks and Czechs, 40% among Hungarians and 32% among Bosniaks, but about 12% among Roma and 9% among Egyptians.

Who leads

Among the larger communities, Hungarian Sloga (Mađarska sloga), backed by the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, had about 71% with 445 of 465 polling stations processed; the Alliance's leader, Bálint Pásztor, said the list expected 25 of the council's 35 seats. In the Bosniak vote, Čuvari Sandžaka led with about 42%, ahead of the Sandžak Democratic Party list of Elmir Habibović with about 35%. The Croatian National Vision (HNV) list had about 66% and called itself the clear winner. Matica slovačka led the Slovak vote with 78%, and the Party for Democratic Action of Šaip Kamberi was first among Albanians with about 34%. In the electoral assemblies, Milovan Ćurčić's list took all 19 Russian council seats and Amir Kajkuš's list all 15 Gorani seats, both unanimously.

Irregularities and next steps

Marko Janković, who chaired the RIK session, said the commission had found 161 errors in polling-station records, 72 serious and 89 minor. RIK will decide how they are resolved and whether voting must be repeated anywhere. Mandić also pointed to problems with registration on the special voter roll. Final results are due within 96 hours of the close of voting, and seats will be allocated within three days after that.