CEC Fines Political Parties in BiH Over Social Media

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Today, the Central Election Commission of BiH made decisions imposing fines on two political entities and two candidates certified to participate in the General Elections in BiH, which will be held on October 7, 2018.

It was announced that it was determined that the political entity DF-GS, Željko Komšić: BiH WINS (Democratic Front and Citizens' Alliance), is responsible for Adžem Dževad, a candidate of this political entity for the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, who on September 10, 2018, on his Facebook profile, used language that could incite or encourage violence or spread hatred, thereby violating the rules of conduct in the election campaign under Article 7.3, paragraph (1), item 7) of the Election Law of BiH. Therefore, based on the provisions of Article 6.7, item 1, and applying Article 19.9, paragraph (1), item j) of the Election Law of BiH, he is imposed

- A fine in the amount of 1,000 KM, which will be borne jointly and severally by the members of this coalition, the Democratic Front and the Citizens' Alliance, in the amount of 500 KM each - it was announced.

It was determined that Adžem Dževad, a candidate of the political entity DF-GS, Željko Komšić: BiH WINS, for the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, on September 10, 2018, on his Facebook profile, used language that could incite or encourage violence or spread hatred, thereby violating the rules of conduct in the election campaign under Article 7.3, paragraph (1), item 7) of the Election Law of BiH, and therefore, in accordance with Article 6.7, paragraph (1), item 1) and Article 19.9, paragraph (4) of the Election Law of BiH,

- He is imposed a fine in the amount of 3,000 KM.

It was determined that the political entity Alliance for Victory (Serb Democratic Party and Party of Democratic Progress) is responsible for Vukota Govedarica, a candidate of this political entity for the President of Republika Srpska, who on September 15, 2018, used language that could incite or encourage violence or spread hatred, thereby violating the rules of conduct in the election campaign under Article 7.3, paragraph (1), item 7) of the Election Law of BiH. Therefore, based on the provisions of Article 6.7, item 1, and applying Article 19.9, paragraph (1), item j) of the Election Law of BiH, he is imposed

- A fine in the amount of 7,000 KM, which will be borne jointly and severally by the members of this coalition, the Serb Democratic Party and the Party of Democratic Progress, in the amount of 3,500.00 KM each.

It was determined that Vukota Govedarica, a candidate of the political entity Alliance for Victory for the President of Republika Srpska, on September 15, 2018, used language that could incite or encourage violence or spread hatred, thereby violating the rules of conduct in the election campaign under Article 7.3, paragraph (1), item 7) of the Election Law of BiH, and therefore, in accordance with Article 6.7, paragraph (1), item 1) and Article 19.9, paragraph (4) of the Election Law of BiH,

- He is imposed a fine in the amount of 5,000 KM.

The decisions imposing fines are not final. An appeal may be lodged against them with the Appellate Division of the Court of BiH within two days of receipt of the decision.