Today is the deadline for determining the results of the early elections in Republika Srpska (RS). However, according to announcements from the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CEC of BiH), this deadline will most likely be missed because the determination of irregularities is still ongoing. The graphologist’s report is awaited, and a control count has been ordered at 51 polling stations in five municipalities. In the meantime, conflicting reactions from the parties. The SDS is demanding that the elections be repeated, while the SNSD once again states that for them, the elections are finished.
The uproar over the early elections in the RS is not subsiding. At the latest session of the CEC of BiH, analyses were presented which established that 1.660 people in 57 electoral units voted without a single valid identity document. Checks continue, which is why the deadline for determining the results of the early elections will most likely be missed, the CEC says.
“We will work on Saturday as well, receive the full report, and based on all the evidence we have received, see what our further timeline is for determining irregularities or results. The basic answer we need is whether they voted and the polling station committee let them vote without a document, or whether someone else voted on their behalf. We must have those answers, and that is at this moment the most important answer,” said Irena Hadziabdic, member of the CEC of BiH.
“We appeal for urgency in processing any potentially committed criminal offence,” said Vanja Bjelica, member of the CEC of BiH.
The parties are categorical in the meantime. The SDS is demanding that the elections be repeated.
“Repeating the elections is the only correct decision the CEC can make. Citizens deserve that, after a series of irregular and stolen elections, their vote is finally respected. The CEC and the Prosecutor’s Office must this time make it clear to everyone – in RS electoral theft and manipulation will no longer be tolerated,” said Jovila Radulovic.
And the SNSD also stands by its position – for them, the elections are finished.
“How to determine the results of early elections for the president of the RS? Analysts are not optimistic,” said Savo Minic, RS prime minister.
“My feeling is that these elections will not be concluded, that the publication date will be postponed, that we will enter a phase of dragging things out, and that in some confusing situation we will reach next year’s elections,” said Drago Vukovic, analyst.
The CEC of BiH last updated the latest snapshot of preliminary, unofficial, and incomplete election results on December 3rd, and according to that snapshot, the SNSD candidate Sinisa Karan is in the lead with a 9.500-vote advantage over the runner-up, Branko Blanusa from the SDS. However, more will be known after today’s session of the CEC of BiH.
