ODIHR experts discuss electoral recommendations in Sarajevo

Experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented ODIHR’s final report on the 7 October 2018 general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina during a visit to Sarajevo on 15 and 16 April 2019.

The report’s findings and recommendations were presented at a conference dedicated to the general elections and the challenges of the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event brought together representatives from the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other government ministries, the media and civil society.

The ODIHR representatives noted that the elections, while genuinely competitive, were marked by continuing segmentation along ethnic lines. They drew attention to recommendations on revising the legal framework for elections and the way polling station commissions are formed, as well as on preventing pressure on voters, strengthening the transparency and accountability of campaign finance and measures to guarantee the voters’ right to a free and secret ballot.

“This conference is a positive step that demonstrates the will to follow up on ODIHR’s electoral recommendations,” said Alexander Shlyk, Head of the ODIHR Elections Department. “This discussion provides a basis for further improvements to the electoral processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and ODIHR is ready to support such efforts.”

The participants also discussed topics such as the formation of lower-level election administration bodies, election day procedures, including measures to safeguard the secrecy of voting, and ways to prevent pressure on voters.

ODIHR’s potential engagement in providing legal and technical expertise to assist the electoral reforms was discussed in separate meetings with representatives of the country’s Central Election Commission and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly following up on ODIHR electoral assessments and recommendations.