In Jablanica, 51.56% of voters had cast their ballots by 3 PM, irregularities recorded in the election cycle

(Patria) - In Jablanica, 4,500 registered voters or 51.56% had voted at regular polling stations by 3:00 PM.

The "Pod lupom" coalition announced part of the findings from observing the postponed elections until 3:00 PM based on reports from citizen observers deployed in Jablanica.

Irregularities that traditionally repeat from one election cycle to another, such as family voting, were recorded. This irregularity was recorded at 4 polling stations (126A004, 126A005, 126A013 and
126A019). It often happens that multiple family members vote together in the booth. This irregularity represents a form of traditional heritage not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina; however, if the frequency is high, it can have a strong impact on the electoral process.

Voting without checking the prescribed identification documents was recorded at 2 polling stations (126A002, 126A005). Improper identification of voters can indicate numerous electoral irregularities, such as multiple voting (one person voting at multiple polling stations or multiple times at one polling station) or voting on behalf of other voters (voting on behalf of absentees, voting on behalf of deceased persons, etc.). On the other hand, improper identification can also be the result of the polling committee's personal acquaintance with the voter.

The irregularity where one person assists a larger number of voters to vote in the booth was recorded at 6 polling stations (126A001, 126A002, 126A004, 126A005, 126A013, and 126A018). These cases may indicate abuse of assistance in voting, which most often occurs with organized helpers who, with the permission of the polling committee, assist a larger number of voters, which is illegal. Using this manipulation, political party activists often bring a larger number of people to the polling station themselves to "help" them vote.

Furthermore, voters who used the assistance of another person while voting did not have proof that they actually needed assistance in voting at 3 polling stations (126A001, 126A013, 126A020). However, in such cases, the polling committee has the option to approve voting without proof at its discretion if it assesses that the voter is unable to vote independently. Nevertheless, such cases require additional verification to determine whether an electoral irregularity has occurred.

Voters being turned away from the polling station because they were not on the excerpt from the Central Voter Register was recorded at 4 polling stations (126A001, 126A002, 126A004, 126A005) and these are also mostly formal omissions because voters do not come to the appropriate polling station where they are supposed to vote.

The "Pod lupom" coalition is also monitoring information on voter turnout in the 2024 Local Elections in Jablanica. The recorded turnout in the postponed elections by 3:00 PM is 52.9% (with a margin of statistical error of +/- 3.21% at a 0.95 confidence interval).

The turnout in the regular Local Elections held on October 6th by 3:00 PM was 33.2% (with a margin of statistical error of +/- 0.84% at a 0.95 confidence interval).

The "Pod lupom" Coalition called on citizens to share all their positive or negative election experiences with them today via the form https://mojeiskustvo.podlupom.org/. Citizens can also continue to report all electoral irregularities via the toll-free number 080 05 05 05.

The public and media will be informed about the findings of the "Pod lupom" Coalition in real-time regarding the election process for the postponed elections in Jablanica through press releases that will be published on www.podlupom.org.