Branko Blanuša is the SDS candidate for President of Republika Srpska

(Patria) - Branko Blanuša is the SDS candidate in the early elections for the President of the entity of Republika Srpska scheduled for November 23.

This was decided by the SDS Main Committee at today's session in Banja Luka, confirmed for Radio Free Europe by SDS member Aleksandra Pandurević. The decision, as she stated, was made unanimously.

Blanuša is otherwise a member of SDS in the Banja Luka City Committee.

The main opposition parties in Republika Srpska maintain their stance that they want to jointly field a single candidate, who should be provided by the SDS, which among them has the most deputies in the entity's assembly.

Only the PDP, led by Banja Luka Mayor Draško Stanivuković, has not declared its support.

Republika Srpska has had no president since August 18, when the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed the revocation of Milorad Dodik's mandate, after his final conviction of one year in prison and a six-year ban on holding public office for defying the decisions of the High Representative.

From September 25 to 29, political parties can register for the early elections for the President of Republika Srpska from among the Serbian people.

Coalition registration will be possible on October 6 and 7, and presidential candidates have a deadline from October 10 to 14.

The election campaign will run from November 8 to 22.

The early elections in this BiH entity will cost around 3.3 million euros, and the funds have been secured from the state Ministry of Finance.

The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina has made a procurement decision for the early elections regarding the rental of necessary electronic equipment, printing of election materials, and rental of business premises for the Main Counting Center.