Bjelica - Prutina: Elections called, no budget, Mostar still uncertain

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Local elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina have been called for October 4, 2020, for 64 municipal councils in FBiH, 56 municipal assemblies in RS, 120 municipal mayors in BiH, 14 city councils in FBiH, seven city assemblies in RS, 22 mayors in BiH, and the Assembly of Brčko District of BiH, said Vanja Bjelica-Prutina, President of the Central Election Commission of BiH, at a press conference.

She added that "seats for national minority representatives are guaranteed for 23 candidates in 21 municipalities.".

"For the first time in the Local Elections, the Mayor of East Sarajevo will be elected directly in the elections. The Central Election Commission of BiH informs the public that elections for Mostar will be called upon the fulfillment of the necessary conditions for it. According to the Constitutional Court's decision from February this year, certain provisions of the Election Law have ceased to be valid, and there is also the Irma Baralija v. BiH ruling," stated the President of the Central Election Commission of BiH.

According to her, as of May 6 at 24:00, the voter register has been closed with 3,374,364 voters, which includes voters from the city of Mostar.

"Due to the current situation, voter registration outside of BiH will be done based on PRP forms, which are currently available exclusively on the website of the Central Election Commission of BiH. Due to a lack of funds, it has not been possible to initiate public procurement for printing and postal delivery of forms, but we do not rule out postal delivery," added Bjelica - Prutina.

She called on citizens outside of BiH to visit the official website of the Central Election Commission of BiH without delay and register to vote, adding that without filled municipal and city election commissions, it will not be possible to conduct the elections, and that 13 positions in these commissions are still unfilled.

The Central Election Commission of BiH did not adopt the instructions on deadlines and the order of activities today, and the instructions will only be adopted once financial resources are secured.

"Elections cannot be secured without financial resources. One of the authorities and responsibilities of the Central Election Commission of BiH is the printing and distribution of ballots. It takes approximately 170 days from the publication of the notice of procurement of ballots to the packaging of ballots. For the Central Election Commission to fulfill its obligations, the employment of a certain number of temporary staff is required," said the President of the Central Election Commission of BiH.

She stated that they expect the urgent provision of financial resources, with BiH institutions providing funds in the amount of 4.2 million KM, and the remaining funds to be provided by cities and municipalities within their budgets.

"Local elections in BiH should cost around 9 million KM, excluding funds for protection during the pandemic. We note that the Central Election Commission will use all available means to conduct the elections," concluded Bjelica - Prutina.

Vlado Rogić, a member of the Central Election Commission of BiH, when asked what would happen if October 4 arrives without ballots, said that he expects the budget of BiH institutions to be adopted quickly, and that funds will then be immediately transferred to the Central Election Commission of BiH.

When asked again what would happen if there were no funds and ballots were not printed, Rogić said that he hopes that funds will still be secured.