70% OF VOTERS TAKE PART IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN SERB ENTITY

( Editorial: --> 3153 ) SARAJEVO, 23 Nov (Hina) - Robert Frowick, head of the Mission of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), described this weekend's early elections for the Bosnian Serb parliament as successful. The turnout was comparatively good, Frowick told a press conference in Sarajevo Sunday. Almost all polling stations, except for those in the area of Brcko, had been closed at 4 pm, said Frowick. The polling stations in Brcko remained open longer as voters started queuing up in the afternoon. Around 70% of voters participated in the elections, Frowick said, adding it remained to be seen what they had decided about the future of Republika Srpska. Some 85% of registered voters took part in the September local elections, while this weekend's early elections attracted much less interest although they are aimed at solving the current political crisis in the Bosnian Serb entity. The counting of votes would be carried out carefully and ballots sent by post would be received until 5 December, said the head of the OSCE Mission. The elections were financed from a fund intended for the implementation of the September elections, Frowick said, adding that the Office of the High Representative would have the leading role in the implementation of election results. The Office of the High Representative would be assisted by other international organisations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, he added. Commenting on the future role of the OSCE Mission in Bosnia- Herzegovina and the new local elections, to be held next year, Frowick said it was envisaged by the Dayton agreement that a permanent election commission would be established by then. (hina) rm 231922 MET nov 97