CASADO URGES BOTH SIDES IN MOSTAR TO GO TO THE POLLS

MOSTAR, May 17 (Hina) - Mostar's EU Administrator, Ricardo Perez Casado, called on both sides in Mostar to show up at the municipal election, scheduled for the 31st of May. Noting that neither the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) nor any other party based in the eastern (Moslem) part of the city, had filed their lists of canidates before the May 10 deadline, Casado said that he, as administrator, had the authority to extend the deadline but would not do it before consulting both sides. Asked whether the election would nevertheless be held on May 31 if Moslem parties continued to abstain, Casado said he preferred not to preempt the result of this new round of talks. The Bosnian Women's Party, which filed its list on time, has subsequently withdrawn the list, according to Casado. According to the Administration's legal advisor Hans Bichler, Mostar's electoral body numbered about 100,000 voters, according to the 1991 population census (including those who have come of age in the meantime). According to estimates, 30,000 voters can be expected to show up at the election, Bichler said, adding that the electorate "was not defined by the number of people." "If there's no minimum, it isn't important whether 10, 15 or 70 percent show up," Bichler said. He rejected the possibility of absentee ballot, which the Moslem side has been insisting on. (hina) mm as 171339 MET may 96