OSCE MISSION TO BOSNIA PUBLISHES RESULTS OF MUNICIPAL POLL

SARAJEVO, April 20 (Hina) - The Mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Thursday issued the results of municipal elections which took place in the country on April 8, confirming most results issued immediately after the closing of polling stations. According to data confirmed by the temporary electoral commission, the most successful party was the Serb Democratic Party (SDS) which won in 49 out of 145 municipalities in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) of Bosnia-Herzegovina is a relative or absolute winner in 25 municipalities and the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) in 23 municipalities. The SDA has in coalition with The Party for Bosnia-Herzegovina (CD coalition) won in 11 municipalities. Candidates of the Social Democratic Party won in 15 municipalities, including Tuzla and two biggest municipalities in Sarajevo. In 11 municipalities two parties or coalitions won the same number of mandates in municipal councils. These elections have passed in the best possible way and their implementation as well as the use of open lists is a big step towards the democratisation of political life in Bosnia-Herzegovina, acting OSCE Mission chief in the country, Dieter Woltmann, and chairman of the temporary electoral commission, said in Sarajevo Thursday. He added only one municipality will need additional confirmation of electoral results. The electoral commission at the last moment received complaints about alleged voting irregularities in the Capljina municipality. According to Woltmann, 66 per cent of voters took the poll in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In Republika Srpska 71 per cent of voters voted, while in the Bosnian Federation 65 per cent. (hina) lml mm