NCEU Calls on Serbian Institutions to Urgently Invite European Parliament Observers to the 25 October Elections

The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) calls on the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia to issue, without delay, an invitation to the European Parliament’s election observation delegation for the early parliamentary elections to be held on 25 October 2026.

We welcome the fact that ODIHR has already deployed an observation mission and that an invitation has been extended to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The European Parliament (EP), however, has not been invited. This is a departure from established practice, and by a country that is a candidate for EU membership. Together with the ODIHR and PACE missions, the EP delegation has traditionally taken part in the joint international assessment of elections in Serbia. Excluding the institution that directly follows Serbia’s EU accession process sends a message at odds with the country’s declared European commitment.

The need for full international observation is particularly acute given deep political divisions and eroded public trust in institutions. It also stems from long-standing findings by ODIHR, the EP and PACE on the uneven playing field, pressure on voters, misuse of public resources, the voter register, campaign finance and media pluralism. A significant number of these recommendations remain unaddressed.

We emphasise that, due to the European Parliament’s internal procedures and deadlines, the invitation must be sent as soon as possible. An invitation issued just before election day would call into question the very possibility of forming a delegation, effectively rendering the right to international observation meaningless through belated procedural steps.

The National Convention on the EU therefore calls on:

• – Serbian institutions to immediately invite the European Parliament and to ensure full and unimpeded accreditation for all international observers;
• – the European Parliament to remain ready to deploy a delegation at short notice;
• – the EU and its Member States to treat electoral integrity and the implementation of ODIHR recommendations as an integral part of Serbia’s accession process.

International observation is neither interference in elections nor a prejudgement of their outcome. It is a standard instrument for assessing compliance with commitments that the Republic of Serbia has freely undertaken. If the institutions have confidence in the integrity of the electoral process, there is no legitimate reason to restrict it.