Coalition 'Under the Lens' Welcomes Amendments to the BiH Election Law Proposed by the BiH Central Election Commission

Analyzing the working material for amendments to the BiH Election Law proposed by the Central Election Commission of BiH (CEC BiH), the Coalition 'Under the Lens' considers that the proposed amendments are a step forward in improving electoral legislation and deserve serious consideration and acceptance by decision-makers.

The Coalition 'Under the Lens' expresses particular satisfaction that the set of proposed amendments includes recommendations from the Coalition 'Under the Lens' for improving electoral legislation, made after extensive observation of the electoral process during the 2014 General Elections and the 2016 Local Elections. Among the most significant proposed amendments by the CEC BiH are:

- Introduction of an independent function of the president of polling boards, who will be selected through a public advertisement in a non-election year and appointed by, and responsible for their work to, the municipal/city election commissions;
- Introduction of financial sanctions for political entities whose proposed members of polling boards are found to have violated provisions of the BiH Election Law;
- Prevention of misuse of public funds by introducing into the BiH Election Law a ban on using public funds for self-promotion or promotion of a political party;
- Introduction of early voting for voters who, on election day, are unable to vote at their polling station for justified reasons;
- Prevention of misuse of national declaration by introducing a provision whereby, in the event of a change in national affiliation during the four-year electoral cycle, the national declaration given by the candidate in the 2013 census is taken into account;
- Creation of preconditions for the introduction of new technologies in the electoral process by specifying that voting is done manually on a ballot paper or electronically.

The Coalition 'Under the Lens' actively advocates with decision-makers for the introduction of these and other significant improvements to the BiH Election Law, and places its capacities at the disposal of competent institutions in all phases of this process to contribute to the common goal – free and fair elections for all citizens of BiH without discrimination.

All priority recommendations of the Coalition 'Under the Lens' for improving elections in BiH can be viewed at the link www.tiny.cc/preporuke .