CEC annuls election results for RS president at 136 polling stations in 17 electoral units due to manipulation

(Patria) - The Central Election Commission of BiH at today's session, with five votes in favor and two against (Irena Hadžiabdić and Vlado Rogić), adopted the decision to annul the results of the early elections for the president of the RS at 136 polling stations in 17 electoral units.

Forensic handwriting analysis showed that forged signatures were recorded, voting with expired identification documents, adding votes to one candidate and subtracting from another.

Manipulations with signatures and irregularities in the work of polling station committees were determined; at certain polling stations, votes were added to one candidate and subtracted from another. To protect the integrity of the election process, it is necessary to annul the elections. The elections are being annulled at 135 polling stations in Prijedor, Laktaši, Banja Luka, Doboj, Stanari, Lopare, Ugljevik, Osmaci, Zvornik, Vlasenica, Bratunac, Nevesinje, Gacko, Rudo, Bileća, Milići. The annulment also applies to one polling station in the Brčko District on another basis.

CEC member Vanja Bjelica Prutina stated that IDDEEA confirmed that 2,196 individuals voted without a valid identification document.

"I share the deep disappointment that individuals were found who compromised the election process in this way, and I hope they will be sanctioned," said Bjelica-Prutina.

CEC President Jovan Kalaba stated that irregularities were observed that could have affected the election results and that according to the Election Law of BiH, they have the right to annul the results.

"The mere fact that manipulation occurred, that at just one polling station 58 individuals voted without a valid identification document, constitutes election fraud," said Kalaba.

This decision is not yet final as there is a right to appeal, and the Appellate Panel of the BiH Court will make the final decision.

"If it becomes final, we will have to call elections at these locations. We can extend the deadline in justified cases regarding the confirmation of results and we are not limited to 30 days in that regard," said CEC member Željko Bakalar.

In the early elections held for the president of the RS, Siniša Karan (SNSD) won 222,182 votes, and Branko Blanuša (SDS) won 212,605 votes.