Politics

Masks, disinfectant and distance: Serbia prepares for elections amid pandemic

By Snezana Stanojevic

Belgrade, Jun 18 (efe-epa).- Disinfectant, social distancing and handing out masks at polling stations are some of the measures being rolled out as Serbians prepare to vote.

The country will hold parliamentary elections on Sunday, the first nation in Europe to do so since the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 6.6 million citizens with the right to vote are called to the polls on Sunday to choose the 250 deputies of the national Parliament among 21 parties and coalitions.

They will deposit their ballot in 8,253 polling stations in those elections, which coincide with the local ones and for the Chamber of the Vojvodina province.

Voters have received fact sheets informing them about health precautions and warning that strict compliance will be needed.

The Serbian Central Election Commission (RIK) has asked citizens to cast their ballots “throughout the day, especially in the morning” and not to wait until the final hours of the day, as usually happens in Serbian elections when queues often form at the end of the voting window.

Special requests have been made to avoid unnecessary contact at polling stations and the public has been told to leave as quickly as possible after exercising their democratic right.

Any physical contact with members of the electoral team is also prohibited.

Masks are not mandatory in Serbia but wearing one is recommended while inside public buildings.

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