HOUSE OF PEOPLES Čović accused SDA of choosing CIK members with partners, linked Debevec and Mehmedagić

(Patria) - At today's session of the House of Peoples of the BiH PA, a discussion opened on the election of members of the Central Election Commission of BiH, although the agenda item was "Report on the implementation of laws within the jurisdiction of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2022". After the discussion, this report did not receive the necessary majority.

DF delegate Dženan Đonlagić reacted to the statement of Snežana Novaković Bursać, who spoke about the illegal election of CIK members.

"There is no decision from any judicial body in BiH based on which it can be claimed that the composition of the CIK of BiH is illegal and that it was appointed contrary to the law," he said.

SDA delegate Šefik Džaferović pointed out that it is not fair to only hear those who attack the CIK.

"Objectively, and in my opinion, it is a fact that the CIK was elected legally, in accordance with the valid law. The court has also confirmed this election, and a responsible person should always keep these facts in mind. The CIK is a very important regulatory body in BiH, and I think it is good that the CIK monitors all the laws it implements and submits such reports. This composition of the CIK is not under anyone's influence, but under the influence of the law," said Džaferović.

HDZ BiH delegate Dragan Čović had a longer statement in which he attacked the members of the CIK, the House of Representatives of the BiH PA, the SDA, and also the Court of BiH.

"The current CIK was elected according to the order of the SDA and its partners at a time when they had a sufficient majority in the House of Representatives of the BiH PA, contrary to the law and the constitution, by interrupting the tender procedure in order to create chaos in the election process. I have no doubt that the investigative institutions will determine that the process has been monitored and analyzed on this issue in the Court of BiH.

We should have changed the way the CIK is elected. And now there are people whose mandates have expired, or who should have retired by force of law. Someone from the High Representative now wants to impose some supposed changes regarding the integrity of the election process. We must address the fact that the law in this segment had to be changed, and the Peace Implementation Council acted and unanimously supported the work of that independent commission.

Whatever changes they try to make to define the integrity of the election process, if the body that should implement and supervise it is appointed contrary to the law and the Constitution of BiH. I would like the investigative institutions not to determine that they, about whom I said when they were arrested that it was a shame, managed that process from the shadows, at the will of one individual, one family. Today, 10 months before the local elections, we are entering an election year in the same way, and we know very well who sits there," said Čović.

Džaferović reacted to Čović's statement, rejecting the insinuations made against the SDA.

"I could explain at length the situation that existed when the members of the CIK were elected, but I will not do that. The court has had its say on this matter. Now to doubt the court and make some constructions, that is their stance, and I cannot influence it," he said.

Đonlagić corrected Dragan Čović's statements.

"He said that the House of Representatives interrupted the election procedure for CIK members. That is not true. The commission that conducted the election exceeded the legal deadline for submitting the proposal of successful candidates. When that deadline was missed, the House of Representatives used its procedural right and carried out that election. When you insist so much on the story of principledness, how is it possible that the current Council of Ministers also violates the Law on Administration and appoints an agent for the third time as acting director, even though the law states that she can be appointed twice. That policy of double standards and criticism when something doesn't suit you, and then you violate the Law on Administration, is a policy of double standards," said Đonlagić.

SNSDS delegate Sredoje Nović said that he welcomes colleague Čović's announcement that he will open a discussion in this house about the abuse of laws and functions.

"The duo was arrested for abusing the application of operational-technical means against people in the judiciary. That is illegal wiretapping. All leaderships fall because of that. If I know anything, I know what it means to illegally apply operational-technical means against judges and staff within judicial institutions. I am glad if we will also open a discussion about that here," said Nović, speaking about the arrest of the President of the Court of BiH, Ranko Debevec, and the former director of OSA, Osman Mehmedagić.