Dodik in the National Assembly: No foreigners in BiH elections

(Patria) - Milorad Dodik, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said today that the participation of foreigners in the election process in Bosnia and Herzegovina is unacceptable for Republika Srpska.

 Addressing the session of the National Assembly, Dodik said that the National Assembly plays an important role in the entire decision-making process of the Presidency.

 ''This is a great opportunity for the National Assembly of Republika Srpska to show itself as the final decision-making body regarding foreign policy issues'', said Dodik and continued:

''I am glad that I have been supported by this National Assembly on issues of vital national interest'', added the member of the BiH Presidency.

According to him, a ''broad intention'' is visible.

''I believe that the aforementioned decision of the Presidency is harmful to the vital interests of Republika Srpska for a number of reasons. In the letters we could hear from the Central Election Commission, a memorandum was delivered which you had the opportunity to see. The intention is also visible, it is broad and encroaches on areas that are very important for the sovereignty of the election process itself'', Dodik stated.

Foreigners in the election process - unacceptable, he added.

''Why should we accept having foreigners in the election process, it is giving away the sovereignty of the election process, which is considered to be independent, handing it over to them'', Dodik emphasized, among other things, in his address today.

''It is unacceptable for us to have a foreign organization organizing cyber security'', he stated, adding that the work of IFES is banned in 17 American states.

The National Assembly, we remind you, will consider at a special session the Proposal of the Decision on confirming the statement of the member of the BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik, according to which the Decision on approving the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding between the CEC of BiH and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems /IFES/ is very harmful to the vital interests of RS.