The coalition “Pod Lupom” (Under Magnifying Glass) stated that during the pre-election period it recorded a total of 1,282 electoral irregularities, most of which refer to the abuse of public resources, irregularities in forming polling station committees, and premature election campaigning.
Based on the reports submitted by this coalition, the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued 29 sanctions to political entities, totaling 286,000 BAM.
Pod Lupom expressed a special concern ahead of election daydue to the way in which polling boards were formed. As they stated, 304 irregular cases were recorded, including 39 cases in which there is suspicion of seat trading in polling station committees.
The remaining 265 cases relate to the candidates for presidents of polling station committees who, according to the coalition’s findings, are suspected of having links to political parties.
“Pod Lupom” states that such practices raise concern regarding the attempts at political influence on polling station committees, especially given the introduction of new electoral technologies.
“The introduction of new electoral technologies at all polling stations eliminates space for manipulations previously committed by polling station committees. However, the fact that attempts at seat trading and placing party-affiliated individuals in non-partisan positions on polling station committees are still being recorded indicates that political interest in controlling the composition of polling station committees has not disappeared with the introduction of new technologies,” the statement said.
Warnings of Possible Obstructions
The coalition cites the cases of accrediting or attempting to accredit a larger number of observers on behalf of the associations suspected of being “phantom” and linked to political parties. Pod Lupom warned that some political entities, according to their findings, are trying to exert influence over various segments of the electoral process.
Among possible obstruction attempts, they also cited the active spreading of disinformation among voters, opting out of using new electoral technologies, delaying the voting process, using oil or stickers for fingerprints, claims of alleged mass vote-buying, failure to use protective folders, as well as turning the ballot so that the polling station committee member in charge of controlling the ballot box and scanner can see how the voter voted.
“We have submitted a report to the CEC demanding that the unlawful party-affiliated individuals be replaced with lawful non-partisan ones, and we call on political entities and the election administration to respect the law and refrain from manipulating and sabotaging the electoral process,” they stated.
“Every Attempt at Obstruction Will Be Visible”
Pod Lupom emphasized that their methodology is representative of the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is why they expect that any potential deviations from the regular voting process will be detectable. They especially warned political entities and individuals who might attempt to obstruct the electoral process that they will monitor irregularities and insist on sanctioning them.
“I strongly warn all political entities and party individuals who intend to obstruct the electoral process that we will use all means to ensure they are sanctioned, and that the elections at those polling stations and in those local communities are annulled and repeated in seven days,” the coalition stated.
Call to Voters to Turn Out for the Elections
Pod Lupom reflected on the allegations of pressure on voters and attempts to buy votes. They urged citizens to turn out to the elections on October 4 and not to succumb to disinformation, especially regarding new electoral technologies.
“This time, no one can know how anyone voted; each voter’s vote goes precisely to the person it was intended for, and there should be no fear of new technologies because they are here to protect voters,” they stated.
The coalition called on citizens to report all noticed electoral irregularities. A toll-free hotline at 080 05 05 05 is available for reports, as well as an online form at neregularnosti.podlupom.org.
“Pod Lupom” noted that irregularities can also be reported anonymously.
