A conference titled “Free and Fair Elections for All Citizens: A condition that has no alternative!” organised by the Coalition Pod lupom  ended today at the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo. The Conference was organised under the project ‘BASE – Building Accountability and Systems in the Elections’ funded by the European Union in the amount of EUR 1.5 million. During the three sessions, there was a talk on electoral deadlines and election calendar, polling station committees, and technical improvements of the electoral process.

The conclusions adopted during the sessions will be delivered to members of the Inter-Agency working groups, representatives and delegates of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and members of the Central Election Commission.

Election period in BiH, the longest in the world

The election period in Bosnia and Herzegovina lasts 180 days and it is the longest in the world. For example, in Croatia election period lasts 40 days, in Serbia 50 days, while in Montenegro lasts 75 days. During the session electoral deadlines and the electoral calendar, it was concluded that it is necessary to shorten the electoral deadlines, especially in the segment of certification of political subjects, voting by post and publication of the election results.

Polling station committees, the biggest problem of elections in BiH

Polling station committees are the biggest problem of elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The conclusion of the session on the polling station committees is that since they are members of electoral committees nominated by the political subjects, it is necessary to engage non-partisan members of electoral committees that will professionally do their job. In addition, the conclusion is that we need to work on better training and higher penalties for members of committees and political subjects who have nominated them.

Technical improvements are necessary

Technical improvements are reflected in the introduction of transparent ballot boxes and reducing the height of the voting cabin. The conclusion is that it is necessary to consider the introduction of technical improvements and new technologies in BiH. In the field of new technologies, there was talk about scanners for ballot papers and identity documents, electronic pens, and systems to improve the promptness of the Central Voters Register and certification of political subjects.

The conference ,,Free and fair elections for all citizens: The condition that has no alternative!“ is the first in a series of 13 public events that will be organized by the Coalition ,,Pod lupom” throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the aim of active advocacy of improving the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina.