Matt Field: Elections are decided by those who vote

Blog: Matt Field, British Ambassador to BiH

On Sunday, October 7, citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina will have the opportunity to decide on the direction their country will take in the next four years. The United Kingdom, as a guarantor of the Dayton Peace Agreement and a strong supporter of BiH, has both an obligation and a strong desire to see this country progress further. As a diplomat and a citizen of another country, however interested I am in the election results, I will not have the opportunity to vote.

I am often asked who to vote for, what should be the subject of the elections, and what the outcome will be. I cannot comment on such matters. BiH is a sovereign, democratic country, and its voters decide on such issues.

But I often wonder myself what I would do if I could vote. In that case, I imagine myself in the shoes of someone halfway through their career, thinking on one hand about elderly parents, and on the other about the future of their young children. And I think about what advice I would give myself, what questions I would ask myself.

First, go out and vote. Why? Because not voting, due to apathy, frustration, or disinterest, which is usually the case with almost half of the voters in BiH, is a choice and a vote in itself. Not voting means accepting things as they are today. Not expressing an opinion in the elections contributes to the status quo. And in conversations with people across BiH, I have heard from only a few that they are convinced that things cannot change for the better. So I would remind myself that voting is a privilege not everyone in the world has, and I would do everything to go out and vote. Elections are decided by those who vote. (Larry Sabato)

Second, who can be motivated to vote if they have no confidence in the results? Therefore, I would strive to do everything in my power to support those who want free and fair elections. In BiH, the NGO coalition "Pod lupom" (Under the Magnifying Glass) is doing a great job in trying to ensure the presence of independent observers at every polling station – 4,000 of them on election day itself. The media are also almost equally important for highlighting problems, holding politicians accountable, and conveying citizens' concerns. Can I do anything more to support those who protect the process and encourage others to vote?

Third, I would ask myself what I want for my children, parents, myself, and my country, and who has the best plan to achieve these desires. It is expected that these desires begin with good jobs, quality education and healthcare, and better public services. With safety and care for my parents, opportunities and the best preparation for my children for the life ahead of them. Who can provide me with this?

I know this is a difficult question to answer, as very little attention is paid to improving citizens' lives during elections. I would force myself to ask these questions to everyone who asks me to vote for them. And then I would look at what parties and individuals who have already had the opportunity to be in power have done so far: it is easy to promise, and difficult to fulfill promises.

Finally, I would ask myself whether I am casting my vote out of fear or out of hope. Am I voting because of what I fear – those "others" who may be some kind of internal enemy, some foreigner, or some institution. Voting out of fear of what might be lost – position, identity, privileges – can actually make all of that more unattainable. Voting out of hope, and for plans for the future, helps achieve them.

October seventh is the day of your elections, not mine. I will not vote, but I will join my colleagues from the British Embassy, our international observers, good people from "Pod lupom", journalists, and many others, in observing and supporting the democratic process. I hope to see many of you that day, as you take the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina into your own hands and vote for those who can help you build a better life for yourselves and your families.