NEW DEADLINE FOR POLITICAL PARTY REGISTRATION - BH ELECTIONS

( Editorial: --> 3630 ) MOSTAR, May 13 (Hina) - Director of Mostar office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), David Foley, on Wednesday told a press conference that the deadline for registration of political parties for the September elections has been extended by one day, hence parties will be able to register by next Tuesday May 19, instead of May 18. Foley said that according to new rulings, adopted by the Temporary Electoral Commission, candidates can be elected to the same office twice at the most, which applies in retrospect to the 1996 elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Politicians elected in 1996 can be nominated for the same post one last time at the September elections, added Foley. Head of the High Representative's Office in Mostar, Martin Garrod, affirmed that according to the Law on Property and Residential Buildings, flats "in communal ownership" or those with tenants' rights, which during the war were given out for temporary or permanent use can be returned, but new requests must be submitted at the latest by October 4 this year. Requests are to be submitted to the office for residential relations in the municipality where the flat is located, added Garrod. Garrod cautioned that the request must be made regardless if it was by the old laws submitted to the commission for return of property or commissioners of Bosnia-Herzegovina, or the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina. If there are obstructions in the submission of requests, help can be sought in the offices of the High Representative, OSCE, UNHCR and UN in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which will make sure that the laws are implemented, Garrod said. Requests for return of private property are also to be submitted to the municipal offices for residential relations but there is no time-limit, he said. (hina) mrb/lm 131734 MET may 98