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OSCE concerned about inflammatory language in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 1 November 2000
SARAJEVO, 1 November 2000 - The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is increasingly concerned about the inflammatory language being used during the pre-election campaign. This was one of the issues discussed at the PEC 286th meeting on 31 October.
The PEC noted that many political parties are using inflammatory rhetoric in their slogans, advertisements and election speeches. Many of these statements or slogans are inconsistent with the pledges of political parties to comply with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) and the PEC Rules and Regulations. In particular, this pledge creates an obligation to abide by all relevant constitutional and legal mechanisms.
The PEC has referred the issue of inflammatory and anti-GFAP election rhetoric to the Election Appeals Sub Commission for review and adjudication.
At yesterday's meeting the PEC also recognized the important role of religious communities and their leaders in the promotion of the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As was witnessed during the last electoral period, this role is particularly emphasized during the pre-election campaign period.
The PEC invites religious leaders to encourage their followers to participate in the electoral process and exercise their right to vote. However, religious leaders should fully respect the right of voters to make up their own minds, based upon their individual conscience, to decide on political parties and candidates of their choice.
The PEC also clarified that the mandates of current officeholders will terminate upon technical certification of the election results pursuant to Article 117 of the Rules and Regulations.
For more information please contact Luke Zahner, spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, ++387/(0)33 292-449 or ++387/(0)66 144-311.
The PEC noted that many political parties are using inflammatory rhetoric in their slogans, advertisements and election speeches. Many of these statements or slogans are inconsistent with the pledges of political parties to comply with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) and the PEC Rules and Regulations. In particular, this pledge creates an obligation to abide by all relevant constitutional and legal mechanisms.
The PEC has referred the issue of inflammatory and anti-GFAP election rhetoric to the Election Appeals Sub Commission for review and adjudication.
At yesterday's meeting the PEC also recognized the important role of religious communities and their leaders in the promotion of the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As was witnessed during the last electoral period, this role is particularly emphasized during the pre-election campaign period.
The PEC invites religious leaders to encourage their followers to participate in the electoral process and exercise their right to vote. However, religious leaders should fully respect the right of voters to make up their own minds, based upon their individual conscience, to decide on political parties and candidates of their choice.
The PEC also clarified that the mandates of current officeholders will terminate upon technical certification of the election results pursuant to Article 117 of the Rules and Regulations.
For more information please contact Luke Zahner, spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, ++387/(0)33 292-449 or ++387/(0)66 144-311.