Hadžiabdić: The material provided was for the Collegium members to consider

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Irena Hadžiabdić, president of the Central Election Commission, stated at today's press conference that the CEC has been under accusations all day. The president of the CEC commented that she "thinks about resigning from this position every day", but there is no decision yet.

- As you know, we are in the midst of preparing to call general elections. We are considering the legal obligations we must fulfill, and one of them is filling the House of Peoples. The working material was not a subject of discussion at the Collegium, let alone at a session. The working material that appeared was one out of four or five. It was for the Collegium members to consider – said Hadžiabdić.

She said that they were not discussed.

She also responded to accusations of illegal and unconstitutional work by the CEC, stating that courts can assess that.

- In 98 percent of cases, the CEC's decisions were confirmed as valid.

When asked when the working material was delivered, it was stated that it was delivered at the end of the Collegium meeting.

- All members received two materials. There are five. Because the service worked on their preparation for months.

She emphasized that their job is to prepare the elections.

Hadžiabdić said that "nothing was withdrawn after the onslaught".

- It seems that it would be best if the CEC didn't even exist. Some would like that too – said Hadžiabdić.

Commenting on the fact that proposals regarding the Election Law were discussed with Nikola Špirić, Hadžiabdić said:

- I haven't met Mr. Špirić in over two years, nor anyone else in the BiH Parliament. I meet them when we submit reports and exchange polite greetings – she stated.

Hadžiabdić also tried to explain why the 2013 census was used in the working materials, and not the 1991 census, which is stipulated by the Constitution of the FBiH, until Annex 7 is fully respected.

- Regarding the census, this unfortunate provision, which is now giving us headaches, states that we should do it. We have court practice for the election of municipal election commissions which is based on the 2013 census. These are issues that would be considered if all these working materials had been seen and if it was possible to reconcile them. If not, then there is no proposal for a decision, and that's it. Likewise, if there is no will for discussion, there will be none – said the president of the CEC.