SARAJEVO, Jan 26 (Hina) - The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) has forwarded to the country's parliament for discussion a new permanent electoral bill which should be
enacted as soon as possible to enable the holding of general elections next autumn. Changes to an earlier motioned electoral bill ensued following all-round discussions and consultations, resulting in the elimination of a section which referred to the method of electing members for Bosnia's Presidency, said a joint statement the Office of the international community's High Representative for BH (OHR) and the OSCE Mission issued in Sarajevo on Wednesday. The electoral bill rejected by Muslim and Croat and endorsed by Serb MPs envisaged the so called preferential voting system for the candidates of the three-member Presidency. Today's statement reminds elections for the Pres
SARAJEVO, Jan 26 (Hina) - The Organisation for Security and Co-
operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BH) has
forwarded to the country's parliament for discussion a new
permanent electoral bill which should be enacted as soon as
possible to enable the holding of general elections next autumn.
Changes to an earlier motioned electoral bill ensued following all-
round discussions and consultations, resulting in the elimination
of a section which referred to the method of electing members for
Bosnia's Presidency, said a joint statement the Office of the
international community's High Representative for BH (OHR) and the
OSCE Mission issued in Sarajevo on Wednesday.
The electoral bill rejected by Muslim and Croat and endorsed by Serb
MPs envisaged the so called preferential voting system for the
candidates of the three-member Presidency.
Today's statement reminds elections for the Presidency will not
take place sooner than 2002, which leaves sufficient time to settle
the issue. Avoiding to discuss it at present is the result of a
desire to step up the passing of a law believed to be of great
importance for BH.
The OHR and the OSCE point out the changes which ensued should not be
interpreted wrongly, because the international community is giving
serious thought to the objections political parties in BH voiced
regarding the electoral bill.
The OHR and the OSCE further remind the previous electoral bill was
not properly discussed in the first place, and called on Bosnian MPs
to now demonstrate the necessary seriousness and adopt a permanent
electoral law, which is a precondition for further approaching
Europe and the priority condition for Bosnia's full membership in
the Council of Europe.
Elections in BH since the signing of the Dayton peace agreement at
the end of 1995 were held according to provisional rules and
regulations passed and interpreted by the OSCE. Municipal
elections scheduled for April 8 should be the last to be held under
provisional OSCE rules.
(hina) ha