Serbian Expatriates Demanded More Polling Stations
The group requested additional voting access for upcoming elections through an open letter to Minister Berendsen.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Civic Engagement
Live Poll
Should governments be required to provide more polling stations for citizens living abroad?
Serbian expatriates in the Netherlands have requested more polling stations for upcoming elections to address limited access in previous cycles. The community previously cast ballots only at a single location in The Hague.
Why it matters
The demand highlights the push for broader voting access among diaspora members who face geographical barriers to exercising their suffrage. Expanding sites depends on meeting a specific registration threshold.
The Republic Election Commission requires a minimum of 100 voters to register in a region before it considers opening new overseas polling stations. Currently, the commission has no legal obligation to establish additional sites beyond those previously available.
The players
Republic Election Commission
This is the national body responsible for organizing and overseeing elections within the Republic of Serbia.
Minister Berendsen
This government official received an open letter from the Serbian expatriate community regarding their demands for voting access.
The details
Serbian community members have completed election observer training and plan to deploy monitors to stations across the Netherlands on October 25. Additionally, the group sent an open letter to Minister Berendsen formally demanding international election monitoring for the process.
Timeline
September 26, 2026: Expatriate rally begins at 11:30 am at Waterplein West square in Amsterdam.
October 25, 2026: Trained election observers monitor polling stations across the Netherlands.
Political Context
Opponents of the initiative, including potential government authorities, often cite the logistical burden and lack of legal mandate for overseas voting infrastructure as the primary reasons to maintain existing arrangements. This resistance often centers on the administrative feasibility of monitoring foreign stations compared to established domestic processes.
The potential expansion of polling sites could significantly reduce travel times for Serbian citizens living in the Netherlands who were previously forced to travel exclusively to The Hague. Citizens should monitor whether their registration numbers meet the commission's threshold to influence station placement.
The takeaway
The campaign underscores how diaspora communities leverage collective organization to influence administrative voting policies. Ensuring that local registration numbers are accurately reported remains the most critical step for expatriates seeking to secure additional polling resources.
Further reading
Learn more about international voting efforts in our Civic Engagement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by N1.
Live Poll
Should governments be required to provide more polling stations for citizens living abroad?
