New rules require more financial disclosure for politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, 20 June 2000 - The Provisional Election Commission sent a strong message to politicians across Bosnia and Herzegovina when they recently adopted new rules requiring more stringent standards for campaign financial disclosure to the public, insuring significantly increased transparency for the upcoming general elections scheduled in November.

During these general elections complete transparency is required, and serious sanctions, up to and including de-certification of political parties, will be applied in case of violations.

"The Provisional Election Commission will pay particular attention to the prohibition against parties using funds from companies which are publicly owned or financed for campaign purposes," said Ambassador Robert Barry, Chairman of the Provisional Election Commission. "These new rules complement the existing rule against conflict of interest and are another step toward loosening the ties between the political power and the economic power of Bosnia and

Herzegovina."

New requirements under the new rules on campaign finance include the following:

• Parties, coalitions and independent candidates that participate in the elections must submit a financial report for three months before the day of submission, that reflects their financial situation, names of donors or others that may have contributed to their budget. In addition, no later than 30 days after the Provisional Election Commission publishes the election results, a financial report must be submitted to the Commission for the period beginning on the day of
• the application for certification until the certification of the results.
• These reports must reflect all cash on hand; all income and disbursements based on memberships; contributions from abroad; contributions from individual and legal entities; contributions in the form of goods and services; returns on assets and entrepreneurial activities; credits; loans; donations; rebates; refunds; other operating expenditures, and other sources for the reporting period as determined by the Provisional Election Commission.
• Identification of the person or source of any payment of 1,000 KM or more and identification of the person who received payment;
• The total amount of all accounts payable and total amount of disbursements; and
• The amount and nature of outstanding debts and obligations owed by the person who files the report with the Provisional Election Commission.

For more detailed information on campaign finance rules, please refer to the Provisional Election Commission rules and regulations, Chapter 16.

All parties, coalitions and independent candidates must submit application to the OSCE by 5 July 2000. Certification forms can be presented to any OSCE office in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For a copy of the campaign finance report form and the pledge by parties to comply with Chapter 16 of the Provisional Election Commission rules and regulations, please call the OSCE press office in Sarajevo, or visit the website of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina www.oscebih.org.

The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace, the OSCE Mission activities are to promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of Professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.

MEDIA CONTACT: For information, contact the Press and Public Information, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, tel.: (+387-33) 292 172; fax: (+387-33) 292 289; website: www.oscebih.org; e-mail: press.ba@osce.org