What you should know: Populists win in Serbia amid allegations of vote theft, writes Guardian

Populists who have ruled in Serbia so far have again scored victories in Sunday's parliamentary elections, which were forwarded with a series of reports of irregularities and tensions during the campaign and election day, writes The Guardian, Pryscopy.

The incumbent prime minister, Ana Brnabiq, says that from the count of half of the vote, Serbia's Progressive Party has received 47% of the vote and is expected to have 130 seats in parliament with a total of 250 MPs.

The Serbian opposition group, Serbia vs. Violence, has managed to get a 23% percentage, Brnabyqi quoted The Guardian as sending Periscopi.

The Serbian opposition coalition has been expected to mark a victory in the Serbian capital in Belgrade, but by placing it in Vuciqit's hands, analysts say this will strengthen Alexander Vuciqi's populist power even more.

Meanwhile, Vuciqi has said his party is leading by vote in the capital as well, adding that coalition negotiations after elections can determine who will rule with Belgrade.

“This is an absolute victory that makes us extremely happy”, Vuciq said on Sunday evening from his party's offices in Belgrade.

The opposition in Serbia accuses Vuciki's party of stealing votes.

“People who do not live in Belgrade have been brought in buses and cars to vote as if they were citizens living in Belgrade”, says opposition Serb leader Miroslav Aleksic.

He has said over 40,000 documents have been reportedly identified, who have voted in Belgrade, and are not citizens of Belgrade.

“We will choose all democratic ways to oppose the theft of votes in Belgrade and Serbia, in general”, Aleksic told the Guardian.

“What has happened today cannot be accepted as a result of the fair and democratic elections”, he said.

The preliminary election results in Serbia reportedly become known today (Monday).

Numerous irregularities have been reported by election monitors and independent media.

A report referring to The Guardian says ethnic Serbs from Bosnia have gathered at a sports hall in Belgrade and voted, despite the fact that this hall was not a polling station.

Another report, says a monitoring team has been attacked in northwest Serbia.

The greatest concern, of all independent organisations, monitors and media, remains the fact that voting is being organised at illegal centres in different parts of Belgrade.

Serbian Prime Minister Anna Brnabiq has all denied all these accusations, calling them lies aimed at spreading panic.

Scores:

The Serbian Progressive Party's list “Aleksandar Vuciq ♫ Serbia cannot stop” has won 46.6 per cent of the vote in the December 17th elections, meaning 129 seats in Parliament, according to polls by the non-governmental organisation, the Centre for Free Elections and Democracy.

In second place is the opposition coalition “Serbia against violence”, with 23 percent of the vote, or 63 seats.

In third place is former Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic's Socialist Party, with 6.9 per cent of the vote or 19 seats. /The Guardian/Periscope