CEC BiH: Votes to be recounted at several polling stations in Laktaši, Doboj, Zvornik, Bratunac, Gacko, and Bileća

(Patria) - The Central Election Commission (CEC) of BiH formally announced and established the results of the early elections for the President of RS at today's session, where the SNSD candidate Siniša Karan refused victory.

However, due to irregularities, the CEC ordered a recount of votes in several electoral units. To make such a decision, the CEC had to first establish the results.

Votes will be recounted at several polling stations in Laktaši, Doboj, Zvornik, Bratunac, Gacko, and Bileća.

- The decision to recount the ballots was made based on the preliminary findings of a graphologist who pointed to the forgery of signatures on the voter lists.

We are proceeding with further verification to see if the results match what we obtained through the forms - said CEC BiH member Irena Hadžiabdić.

Her colleague Vanja Bjelica Prutina points out that at 76 polling stations, a situation was determined where one candidate was awarded 309 votes, and another had 110 votes deducted.

- The main center determined 176 more invalid ballots at 38 polling stations compared to the number of invalid ballots at these polling stations, as determined by the polling station committees.

It is evident, based on these 76 polling stations, that there were irregularities in the vote counting process - stated Bjelica Prutina.

Previously, the CEC stated that the conditions for announcing and establishing the results of the early elections for the President of Republika Srpska had been met.

Only after this decision is it possible to submit a request for a recount of ballots within 72 hours, as well as an objection to the accuracy of the results within 24 hours.

- We must formally establish the results, despite conducting proceedings, in order to open the possibility for political entities to submit requests for recounts, but also to enable the CEC to initiate recounts even if such requests have not been submitted - said CEC BiH member Željko Bakalar.