OSCE and BiH Central Election Commission continue co-operation, renew memorandum of understanding

SARAJEVO, 25 September 2014 – OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina renewed its Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Election Commission of BiH in Sarajevo today.

“OSCE Mission to BiH remains ready to assist the Central Election Commission of BiH, upon its request, with issues of implementation of election-related legislation. We will focus on capacity building and awareness raising in order to maintain and reinforce the norms, standards, and commitments accepted by the BiH authorities”, said Ambassador Jonathan Moore, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH.

The Memorandum envisages the assistance can take the form of implementing projects to improve the election process or acquiring expert opinions and views on issues falling within the jurisdiction of the Central Election Commission of BiH.

“Only independent and impartial election bodies are able to guarantee fair elections. Therefore, independence of the CEC is crucial for the integrity of the electoral process. It is important that it maintains its unique role of the proper application of electoral legislation”, Moore said.

In 2001, Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted its first post-war elections without outside super-vision. Until then, the OSCE had been responsible for conducting all elections in the country. The adoption of a state-level Election Law and the establishment of an Election Commission allowed for the transfer of this competency to domestic hands.