Serbs take over Bosniak seats in Municipal Election Commission!

A new case of discrimination against Bosniaks in Zvornik! Serb representatives in the Zvornik Municipal Assembly yesterday appointed the Municipal Election Commission, violating the Election Law of BiH to the detriment of Bosniaks, confirmed Ilijaz Miralemović from the Municipal Board of SDA Zvornik for the BiH news agency Patria (NAP).

According to him, four Serbs and three Bosniaks were appointed to the MEC, although according to the law, which takes into account the 1991 census, there should be four Bosniaks and three Serbs.

- Besides that, the tender procedure was violated, because candidates from among Bosniaks who were better ranked on the list were skipped and Serbs were appointed. Members of the Assembly from among Bosniaks could not support this, so we left the session and immediately sent a letter to the Central Election Commission of BiH – says Miralemović.

CEC BiH spokesperson Maksida Pirić told us that this body gives consent to the appointment of Municipal Election Commissions, but that she cannot say anything about this specific case until she ascertains what documentation has reached the CEC.

At the same time, Miralemović expects a reaction from the CEC and warns that such behavior sends a very negative message to Bosniaks in Zvornik and RS.

- Look at everything that has been happening to us lately, we have had physical attacks, arson of houses, threats, attacks on the mosque with eggs and beer bottles, and finally the murder of a returnee – he says.

Miralemović reminds that in 2009, the attacker who climbed the mosque minaret and waved a Serbian flag was sentenced to five years in prison, and that this had an impact and somewhat calmed the situation, until recently.

- It was peaceful for some time, but when institutions do not do their job, this happens – he adds for NAP.