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Political party observers for Bosnia and Herzegovina elections must apply by 3 November
SARAJEVO 27 October 2000
SARAJEVO, 27 October 2000 - Political parties, coalitions, lists of independent candidates, and independent candidates that want to have their observers at the polling stations and Counting Centre in Sarajevo should submit their applications for the accreditation to the relevant Municipal Election Commission (MEC) no later than 1200 hours on 3 November 2000.
All political entities standing for election have the right to nominate their representatives to observe MEC activities and polling and counting procedures - however, the representatives can only observe in the electoral unit in which the political entity is certified to stand for election. As MECs will only accredit the observers operating in its jurisdiction, applications should be handed in to the MEC responsible for the area in which the political entity wishes the observer to operate.
Although there is no limit to the number of observers that a political entities can nominate, but only two observers from each political entity will be allowed to observe in the same location at the same time. Observers must respect the electoral rules and regulations, may not interfere with voting and counting procedures, and must respect the secrecy of the vote. Furthermore, observers may not wear or carry anything that indicates their party or political affiliation. It should also be noted that proposed observers should not be candidates; have been previously removed from the candidates list or have been removed from a position in an MEC.
Political parties, coalitions, lists of independent candidates and independent candidates may also nominate up to two representatives to act as observers at absentee polling stations - provided there are voters registered to vote for the electoral unit in which the political party is running. However, it is up to the political entities themselves to request from OSCE field offices the locations of absentee polling stations in other municipalities. Political entities will then be expected to contact the specific MEC (in the municipality of the absentee polling station) for accreditation of its observers.
Meanwhile, the deadline for the Provisional Election Commission to receive accreditation applications of observers from domestic citizen organizations and domestic non-governmental organizations, is 1700 hrs on November 3. Domestic observer appointment forms have been provided to the Centre for Civic Initiatives (CCI) and the Elections 2000 - the two domestic organizations co-ordinating this activity. Applications are also available in OSCE regional centres and field offices. Organizations affiliated with political parties, coalitions, lists of independent candidates, and independent candidates will not be accredited.
For more information please contact OSCE Deputy Spokesperson Sanela T. Becirovic at ++387/(0)33-292-338 or ++387/(0)66 134-758.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
All political entities standing for election have the right to nominate their representatives to observe MEC activities and polling and counting procedures - however, the representatives can only observe in the electoral unit in which the political entity is certified to stand for election. As MECs will only accredit the observers operating in its jurisdiction, applications should be handed in to the MEC responsible for the area in which the political entity wishes the observer to operate.
Although there is no limit to the number of observers that a political entities can nominate, but only two observers from each political entity will be allowed to observe in the same location at the same time. Observers must respect the electoral rules and regulations, may not interfere with voting and counting procedures, and must respect the secrecy of the vote. Furthermore, observers may not wear or carry anything that indicates their party or political affiliation. It should also be noted that proposed observers should not be candidates; have been previously removed from the candidates list or have been removed from a position in an MEC.
Political parties, coalitions, lists of independent candidates and independent candidates may also nominate up to two representatives to act as observers at absentee polling stations - provided there are voters registered to vote for the electoral unit in which the political party is running. However, it is up to the political entities themselves to request from OSCE field offices the locations of absentee polling stations in other municipalities. Political entities will then be expected to contact the specific MEC (in the municipality of the absentee polling station) for accreditation of its observers.
Meanwhile, the deadline for the Provisional Election Commission to receive accreditation applications of observers from domestic citizen organizations and domestic non-governmental organizations, is 1700 hrs on November 3. Domestic observer appointment forms have been provided to the Centre for Civic Initiatives (CCI) and the Elections 2000 - the two domestic organizations co-ordinating this activity. Applications are also available in OSCE regional centres and field offices. Organizations affiliated with political parties, coalitions, lists of independent candidates, and independent candidates will not be accredited.
For more information please contact OSCE Deputy Spokesperson Sanela T. Becirovic at ++387/(0)33-292-338 or ++387/(0)66 134-758.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.