Power of Attorney for Early Elections: Milorad Dodik Authorizes Son Igor to Sign SNSD Acts

(Patria) - SNSD President Milorad Dodik has authorized his son Igor Dodik to sign all acts related to the upcoming early elections for the president of Republika Srpska on his behalf, Istraga.ba has learned. Milorad Dodik signed a power of attorney on September 26 this year, authorizing his son.

“The Alliance of Independent Social Democrats SNSD, based in Banja Luka, authorizes Igor Dodik to correct, sign, and certify, on behalf of and for the principal – any corrected application and other accompanying documents with the application, for the purpose of certifying SNSD for the early elections for the president of Republika Srpska in 2025 – to the Central Election Commission of BiH,” the power of attorney signed by Milorad Dodik states.

Dodik did this a few days before the Central Election Commission of BiH certified SNSD for participation in the elections.

Dodik, namely, expected the CEC to reject the certification of SNSD due to the verdict of the Court of BiH, and therefore authorized his son to sign future acts.

Let us remind you, the Central Election Commission of BiH, at its session held on October 1, certified SNSD's participation in the early elections for the president of RS. There is no obstacle for Milorad Dodik to remain the president of SNSD. CEC member Suad Arnautović voted against this decision. He reminded that Dodik was legally convicted to a six-year ban from holding public office. By the decision of the High Representative, all budget funds for the financing of the political parties SNSD and United Srpska were suspended.

“Through linguistic interpretation, we arrive at the conclusion that Milorad Dodik cannot hold the position of president of the political party SNSD either. The purpose of the High Representative's decision is to suspend payments from budget funds,” said Arnautović.

Paragraph two of the article stipulates that funds will be transferred to a special account to be opened at the Central Bank.

“Despite the decisions of the High Representative, we cannot conclude that these parties are not financed from the budget, and therefore we cannot draw the incorrect conclusion that the legal consequences of the conviction do not apply to Mr. Dodik. These parties are financed from the budget, only their financing is currently suspended. I cannot support the application and I propose that it be rejected and that the applicant be given two days to correct the irregularity, and the CEC will decide later whether to accept it or not,” said Arnautović.