ARRANGEMENT OF SEATS IN BH PARLIAMENT LATER THIS WEEK - OSCE

( Editorial: --> 4004 ) SARAJEVO, Sept 29 (Hina) - The announcement of the final distribution of seats in the Bosnian parliament according to recent electoral results may be expected later this week, spokesman for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mission to Bosnia Nicole Szulc said on Tuesday. The estimates made by parties as to the number of seats won which have been published in the media are incorrect and incomplete and should not be taken into account, Szulc told reporters in Sarajevo. OSCE's Temporary Electoral Commission decided to use the "Sainte Laugue" formula in computing the number of seats won. This formula is also used in Norway, Sweden and New Zealand. According to the formula, the total number of votes for every political party, coalition, alliance, and independent candidate is broken down into specially determined series until the number of divisions matches the number of seats in competition. The OSCE mission believes the formula to be fairer than the so called "electoral threshold" system since all parties, candidates and coalitions are treated according to equal mathematical bases. The "Sainte Laugue" formula also allows for votes won by minor parties to be computed in the distribution of mandates, which was not possible at previous elections. (hina) ha jn/sp 291519 MET sep 98