Social media posts are increasingly urging Serbian citizens abroad to organize, collect 100 signatures, or register to vote in a particular city in order to secure a polling station there. However, Serbia’s Law on the Election of Members of Parliament does not require a polling station to be opened simply because 100 people have registered.
Serbia’s snap parliamentary election is scheduled for October 25, 2026, just over five weeks from now. Meanwhile, social media appeals are encouraging Serbian citizens abroad to collect signatures or register to vote in their cities of residence in an effort to have new polling stations opened there.
Some posts claim that at least 100 registered voters in a city are required for a polling station to be established. This creates the misleading impression that reaching that number automatically guarantees that a polling station will be opened. Current election law imposes no such obligation. 
What Does the Threshold of 100 Voters Actually Mean?
Article 57 of the Law on the Election of Members of Parliament states that a polling station should, where possible, be designated for no more than 2,500 and no fewer than 100 voters. The words “where possible” mean that this is a guideline for the authorities when determining polling locations – not an automatic entitlement for a group of citizens to have a polling station opened in their city of residence.
In other words, the law does not require a polling station to be opened simply because 100 people in a particular city have registered to vote.
In addition to the number of registered voters, the authorities must secure suitable premises, election materials, and a polling board, while also meeting the organizational and security requirements necessary to conduct the vote.
The Consulate Does Not Make the Final Decision
Polling stations abroad cannot be established independently by citizens, associations, embassies, or consulates.
Under Article 56 of the law, Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs submits proposals for polling stations abroad, while the final decision rests with the Republic Electoral Commission (RIK). The Commission must designate polling stations abroad no later than 20 days before Election Day.
Citizens are free to ask a consulate to propose voting in a particular city. However, such a request does not require either the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Republic Electoral Commission to establish a polling station there.
Photo: ChatGPT
