How COVID-19 patients will vote in the upcoming elections

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at its 57th (extraordinary) session held on 24.09.2020, adopted the Rulebook on Amendments and Changes to the Rulebook on the Implementation of Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, among other things, prescribes the procedure for exercising the right to vote for voters who are positive for COVID-19 and/or voters who have been ordered to self-isolate or are hospitalized.
This category of voters will be allowed to vote via a specially formed mobile team, upon their request.

In order to exercise their voting right, a voter who is positive for COVID-19 and/or a voter who has been ordered to self-isolate or is hospitalized is obliged to submit a request for voting via a sealed ballot, or a medical report confirming they are positive for COVID-19 and/or an act from the competent authority ordering self-isolation or hospitalization, to the election commission no later than 72 hours before the election day, either in person (via e-mail, fax, or telephone applications capable of receiving documents, or photos of documents) or through another person.

A voter diagnosed with COVID-19 after the deadline of 72 hours before the election day, or on the election day itself, is obliged to submit the request for voting no later than the election day.

The Rulebook stipulates that special mobile teams should include at least one healthcare professional, if possible. The president or at least one member of this special mobile team must be equipped with special protective equipment. The Rulebook on Amendments and Changes to the Rulebook on the Implementation of Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be available to the public on the website of the BiH CEC and will be published in the official gazettes.