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SARAJEVO, December 18 (FENA) - The OSCE Mission continues to urge the Central Election Commission, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary to respond promptly by investigating all credible reports of fraud and, when warranted, prosecuting violations. That is the only way to rebuild trust in the election processes in BiH, said in an interview with FENA the head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Kathleen Kavalec.
She said that the Mission noted that the media, political parties and NGOs reported a number of alleged irregularities at various polling stations, as well as other allegations, especially those related to the registration of BiH citizens abroad for postal voting.
“We recognize that it was very challenging to organize elections this year given the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to protect the health of all voters and election workers, not to mention the initial delay in the allocation of funding for the elections,” Kavalec reminded.
Despite these difficulties, the BiH Central Election Commission (CEC) ensured that all eligible voters had the opportunity to exercise their democratic right with the appropriate health, safety, and oversight measures in place.
Also, this year, it was important that the Pod Lupom Coalition deployed 2,600 independent, trained observers throughout the country on Election day. The presence of independent observers is one of the best ways to safeguard election integrity and help restore trust in the election process.
“Despite the complicated and unfortunately politicized environment they are forced to navigate, we have full confidence that the CEC and its technical staff are capable of executing the institution's mandate in a fair and transparent manner. The CEC has shown it is fully committed to addressing all reported alleged irregularities and attempts of election fraud in order to ensure a transparent and fair election process,” Kavalec said.
Local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were held on November 15, and on Sunday, December 20, local elections are planned for the City of Mostar, in which there have been no elections since 2008, and Kavalec called on the citizens of Mostar to exercise their democratic right and vote respecting all health measures in order to protect themselves and all persons present at the polling station.
“Mostar residents have waited for this opportunity for too long. I hope they will use the opportunity to become informed about the candidates and the election process. They should vote for those parties and candidates they feel will best address their needs and who have shown a commitment to improving the quality of life for all Mostar citizens. Local elections are especially important because this level of authority is usually the one that has the most impact on citizens’ daily lives,” Kavalec underlined.
Speaking about the candidates for mayor and the City Council, the head of the OSCE Mission to BiH expressed hope that they will demonstrate accountability and urgently address issues that are crucial for citizens of Mostar, especially those that have been suspended due to not holding the elections for 12 years.
She also expressed satisfaction with the fact that a significant number of political parties, coalitions, and independent candidates participating in the December 20 local elections in the City of Mostar signed an election pledge on 18 November 2020.
In this pledge, Kavalec said, they promised to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral process that adheres to the basic principles of integrity and fairness and upholds several key democratic principles, such as respecting the legality of elections, avoiding exerting political pressure on voters, and refraining from using inflammatory rhetoric.
The election pledge was developed by representatives of the Mostar City Election Commissions, civil society organizations and political subjects registered for 2020 local elections in Mostar, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Citizens have the opportunity as they go to vote to judge whether candidates have kept to this pledge,” she said.
Just as they did during the November 15 balloting in BiH, the Coalition Pod Lupom will be monitoring the elections in Mostar, with the support of the EU, the U.S. Embassy, and the OSCE. The Pod Lupom coalition plans to deploy independent observers to all polling stations in Mostar. As she noted earlier, the presence of trained and independent observers is one of the best safeguards to the integrity of elections.
In an interview with FENA, the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH also referred to the topic of necessary reforms in the election processes, saying that reforms are vital to improve the quality and integrity of elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
According to the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) recommendations and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina analysis of election administration processes, there is a clear need for comprehensive improvements to all levels of the election administration in BiH.
This includes updating voter registries; reforms relating to the composition and performance of polling station committees; eliminating opportunities for election fraud; strengthening the regulatory framework for campaign financing; improving the system of processing complaints and appeals, and amending the election law.
ODIHR recommendations can be divided into three categories: recommendations that require amendments to the election law, recommendations that require changes to by-laws, and recommendations that require changes to existing practices.
“It is important to note that over the past several years, the CEC has implemented a significant number of ODIHR recommendations that require only changes to by-laws,” she reminded.
But the most effective way to move forward and swiftly implement ODIHR recommendations is through the establishment of a new and more inclusive Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on election reform, she said.
She believes that IAWG is probably the best format in which to draft amendments to the election law in a transparent and inclusive way, as it should include representatives of BiH CoM, both houses of the BiH PA, including the opposition, the CEC, civil society and all relevant public authorities.
"This format has been used successfully in other Western Balkan countries. Draft amendments proposed by the IAWG would then need to be discussed and adopted by the BiH PA, through an open and inclusive legislative process," Kavalec noted.
Asked how the OSCE could assist in efforts to reach an agreement on the issue, Kavalec said the OSCE Mission in BiH is prepared to support efforts to reach an agreement on this issue, in keeping with our mandate to support free and fair elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Over the years, they have supported the Central Electoral Commission through several cycles to try to ensure a fair, democratic and transparent process. What is needed now is legislative action to improve electoral legislation.
"For this to happen, politicians in all relevant institutions must engage and negotiate in good faith and in a transparent manner to improve relevant legislation. This is vital to restore citizens' trust in the election process," she reiterated.
The International Community will continue to facilitate political dialogue, without seeking to impose any solutions. It is the responsibility of BiH political leaders to find solutions and a mutually agreeable way forward. Reaching consensus through an open and constructive political dialogue is crucial in election-related matters.
"As we have for the last twenty-five years, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina remains ready to support all reform processes and initiatives aimed at enhancing democracy. However, true progress of this country depends on the willingness of politicians to compromise and reach consensus to the benefit of all citizens," concluded the head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Kathleen Kavalec in an interview with FENA.
(FENA) L. N.
