CEC decides as a second-instance body in cases of premature election campaign: Fines from 3,000 to 30,000 KM prescribed

(Patria) - There are less than four months left until the local elections on October 6, and the election campaign officially begins on September 5. However, political parties and candidates are already carrying out certain activities, announcing candidacies, recording video spots, and party songs that they promote on social networks.

Amendments to the Election Law of BiH, imposed by High Representative Christian Schmidt, numbering over 100, specifically clarify the conduct of a premature election campaign.

The CEC clarified for Patria to whom objections are submitted and in which cases the Central Election Commission decides.

„In accordance with the Election Law of BiH, the first-instance jurisdiction for deciding on objections related to a premature campaign lies with the municipal/city election commission. The Central Election Commission of BiH acts as a second-instance body, so at this moment we do not have insight into the number of potential objections received by the competent election commissions. If the Central Election Commission of BiH receives an objection, it will request a statement from the political entity or candidate against whom the objection was filed, and we believe that we will soon have the first cases at a session of the CEC of BiH,” state the CEC.

A political entity will be fined in the amount of 3,000.00 KM to 30,000.00 KM for an offense if it or its candidate, contrary to Article 7.1 of the Election Law of BiH, during the period of a premature election campaign, performs an action that is considered conducting an election campaign.

For the aforementioned offense, a candidate of a political entity will also be fined in the amount of 3,000.00 KM to 15,000.00 KM if they are personally responsible.

Article 7.1 of the Election Law of BiH states:

“During the period of a premature election campaign, conducting an election campaign in electronic, online, and print media and through social networks or any form of public campaign advertising is prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to the organization of lawful official gatherings of bodies and events of political entities for purposes other than campaigning.”