24^th Session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (Strasbourg, 19-21 March 2013)

Observation of local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 20 March 2013

Report by Uno Silberg Member of the Committee of the Regions on the local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina - 7th October 2012.

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I welcome the opportunity to make a presentation today on Bosnia and Herzegovinas elections on 8 October 2012. Indeed may I first thank the Congress for their invitations to the Committee of the Regions to participate in Local and regional election observation as I believe that it is fundamental that we observe, promote and support the evolving democratic process.

I am also pleased to see here today with Congress representatives to share an overview of what happened in Bosnia and Herzegovina electoral observation as indeed your member shared your experiences with the CIVEX commission in the COR.

The electoral mission itself took place from 4 to 8 October 2012 and comprised 19 members in total - 14 from Congress and rapporteur Amy KOOPMANSCHAP and 5 member from Committee of the Regions: Jelena DRENJANIN, Stewart MAXWELL, Declan MCDONNELL, Uno SILBERG and from secretariat Klaus BOELE.

Local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina held for 78 Municipal Councils in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 61 Municipal Assemblies in the Republika Srpska, 139 Municipal Mayors in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Assembly of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the City Assembly of Banja Luka and the City Mayor of Banja Luka Republika Srpska.

In preparation, a pre-electoral assessment mission was deployed to Sarajevo on 18 and 19 September 2012.

On Election Day, nine teams were deployed to different areas throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. On Election Day all in all, our teams observed the vote in 174 polling stations.

I should like to mention some of the weak points to these elections and more specifically on the Election Day:

-       the influence of parties on the composition of polling station committees and the role of domestic observers;

-       the registration process and the scope of liberality of the electoral law in this respect;

-       the issue of assistance for voters who cannot exercise their right to vote alone and family voting.

In conclusion, whole electoral process was understandable. Central Electoral Committee's work well organized. Polling day was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere in accordance with Council of Europe standards for democratic elections, and internationally recognized. Finally, I want to thank the Congress for the invitation to CoR members to participate in this and other elections observation missions. I hope that the cooperation so far has been beneficial to both sides of the joint election observation to continue.

Thank you very much.