Parties and candidates currently distributing humanitarian aid to citizens are violating the Election Law of BiH

Observers of the Coalition "Under the Lens" have noticed violations of the Election Law of BiH by several political parties and independent candidates who are in the race for the upcoming Local elections in BiH, Patria reports.

Violations of the Election Law of BiH, in terms of premature promotion of political entities, according to the analysis of the Coalition "Under the Lens", most often refer to the promotion of candidates via social networks, organizing celebrations for voters, distribution of humanitarian aid, organizing public forums, arranging public areas, distributing leaflets, etc.

According to the Election Law of BiH, the election campaign begins 30 days before the elections themselves. This year, the Local elections in BiH are held on October 2, so the election campaign can start on September 2. Any public promotion of candidates and political parties before this date is contrary to the Election Law of BiH.

The Coalition "Under the Lens" has been monitoring the public behavior of political entities since May this year, when the Local elections were called in BiH.

- The Coalition 'Under the Lens' wants to draw the attention of political entities that it will submit to the Central Election Commission of BiH the recorded and future examples of abuse and violations of the Election Law of BiH before the official start of the election campaign - the Coalition states.

According to information from 42 observers of the Coalition "Under the Lens", 16 city and municipal election commissions did not determine the number and type of polling stations by the legally prescribed deadline, i.e., July 29, for which the Election Law of BiH prescribes fines ranging from 200 to 1,000 KM.

Although the elections were called on May 4, the election commissions of Krupa na Uni and Modriča still do not have a full composition, and as many as nine local election commissions did not comply with the legal provision on 40 percent representation of the less represented gender (Zvornik, Bratunac, Bosansko Grahovo, Novo Sarajevo, Gradačac, Kotor Varoš, Čelinac, Lopare, Petrovac). Seventeen commissions are facing operational problems, stating that they do not have adequate premises and equipment, and five of these commissions are also facing financial problems that could affect the quality of the election process. 140 election commissions have adopted their rules of procedure, but it is concerning that almost a third of the sessions held in the period from July 25 to 31 were not adequately announced, thus reducing transparency in their work.

Positive progress has been made by appointing 55 secretaries of the commissions. Although this is not a legal obligation, the Coalition believes that these appointments will significantly contribute to better organization and implementation of the elections.

From the Coalition "Under the Lens", they state that in addition to observing the pre-election, election, and post-election period, the Coalition will also monitor the media and election campaigns of political entities, Patria reports.

Citizens can report any potential election irregularities via the website podlupom.org or by calling toll-free at 080 05 05 05.