National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopts Draft Election Law of Republika Srpska, to be sent for public debate for 15 days

(Patria) - Deputies of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska at a session that began at midnight on Thursday adopted the Draft Election Law, which stipulates that elections for government bodies in RS will be conducted by the Republican Election Commission, city or municipal election commissions, and polling station committees appointed by the competent authorities of Republika Srpska.

The Draft Election Law of RS stipulates that upon its entry into force, the provisions of the Election Law of BiH governing the election of deputies to the National Assembly, delegates to the Council of Peoples of RS, the President and Vice-Presidents of RS, delegates to the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly from RS, city assembly councillors, municipal assembly councillors, mayors, municipal heads, and the appointment of election implementation bodies for legislative, representative, and executive authorities in RS will not apply.

A novelty compared to the current law is the regulation of elections for delegates to the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly from Republika Srpska and the protection of election rights, which stipulates that this protection will be provided by the Supreme Court of Republika Srpska, in addition to the election implementation bodies.

The Draft Law will be sent for public debate as it regulates matters of particular importance to citizens and requires consultation with bodies, organizations, scientific and professional institutions, and interested citizens.

A Conclusion regarding the Draft Election Law of Republika Srpska was also adopted. This session followed the High Representative in BiH Christian Schmidt imposing over 140 amendments to the Election Law of BiH. The National Assembly of Republika Srpska adopted ten conclusions regarding the imposed law at the previous session on Thursday, and then at a second session, adopted a conclusion on the adoption of the Election Law of RS. It is certain that BiH is entering a new political crisis.
1. The National Assembly of Republika Srpska has decided to send the Draft Election Law of Republika Srpska for public debate, as the aforementioned draft law regulates matters of particular importance to citizens and requires consultation with bodies, organizations, scientific and professional institutions, and interested citizens.

2. The Draft Law has been published on the website of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.

3. The public debate will be conducted within 15 days.

4. The Ministry of Administration and Local Self-Government is tasked with organizing and conducting the public debate, and is simultaneously obliged to submit a report on the results of the public debate, including opinions and proposals presented therein, to the National Assembly along with the draft law.

5. This conclusion enters into force on the day of its adoption and will be published in the Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, in one daily newspaper, and on the website of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.