The Social Democratic Party (SDP) of BiH, Narod i Pravda and Naša stranka strongly support the adoption of amendments to the Election Law of BiH, which would ensure a transparent and fair electoral process, according to the joint statement of those parties.
After today’s announcement by High Representative Christian Schmidt that he intends to act with the aim of ensuring a more transparent and fair election process in BiH, the Troika (coalition of three) reminds that they have been insisting on similar solutions for years.
“A transparent and fair electoral system, in which the theft of votes is minimized or completely impossible, is a vital interest of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In earlier electoral processes, we could clearly detect the weaknesses of the electoral process in BiH and at which stages it is possible to change the electoral will of the citizens of BiH. The introduction of new technologies would not only increase transparency, but would also have a positive effect on the citizens themselves and their trust in the electoral process and the importance of each vote,” the statement said.
The Troika reminds that negotiations have been going on for years in order for domestic political actors to come to a solution together.
“Unfortunately, on several occasions such attempts failed, although they always had our unconditional support. We call on domestic political actors, especially representatives of the Troika, to re-initiate the adoption of solutions that would ensure a transparent and fair election process. We hope that all other parties, regardless of which political spectrum they come from, will support solutions that truly improve the electoral process as a key segment of democracy. The solutions we have now are outdated, ineffective and outdated, and it is necessary to change them. There is no division here, except for those who are for fair elections and those political forces who are not for it,” add from the SDP BiH, Narod i Pravda and Our Party.
They see the announcement that High Representative Schmidt will act if there is no quick agreement in the Troika as the last warning to the political forces to find adequate solutions themselves.
“Technical changes to the electoral law, in terms of strengthening the integrity and electoral process, are a topic that the high representative returns to again and again. It would be extremely important for the BiH Parliament to adopt a package that will implement new technologies and ensure a fair election process. In this sense, any support and insistence of the international community can be a significant incentive to ultimately deliver solutions to citizens that have been announced for years. At the same time, we clearly indicate that there must be an end to unreasonable blockades and blackmail by some political parties that have previously blocked the adoption of those laws,” it is stated at the end of the statement of the Troika.