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Sanctions imposed on HDZ-BIH party and candidates in Canton 2
SARAJEVO 7 November 2000
SARAJEVO, 7 November 7, 2000 - At its session on 6 November 2000, the Elections Appeals Sub-Commission (EASC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a decision sanctioning the HDZ-BiH and HDZ candidates in Odzak.
The EASC received a complaint from the mayor of Odzak that alleged that the Municipal Election Commission (MEC) had improperly appointed an individual as chairman of the Prud Polling Station Committee.
The EASC investigation found that Slavo Bago, an HDZ candidate for the Federation House of Representatives, improperly attempted to influence the Odzak MEC and the Odzak Municipal Court and that his conduct therefore was incompatible with his candidacy. Mr. Bago was struck as a candidate and his name cannot be replaced. The EASC found that Juro Zecevic, an HDZ candidate for the Cantonal Assembly, attempted to improperly influence the MEC for political purposes. Mr. Zecevic was struck as a candidate and his name cannot be replaced.
The EASC found that Anto Simic, the mayor of Odzak and an HDZ official, had attempted to influence the MEC for political purposes and also improperly retaliated against a municipal employee for political purposes. Because Mr. Simic is not currently a candidate for public office, the EASC sanctioned the HDZ for his actions by striking the first two candidates from the HDZ list for Electoral Unit 202 of the Cantonal Assembly the Cantonal Assembly. The party cannot replace these candidates.
The EASC noted that while Prud Polling Station Committee chairman Matije Jeosic was not involved in any improper activities, he had been named as chairman of that polling station committee as the result of improper influence. As a result, Mr. Jeosic was removed from the position of chairman and the EASC named Nikica Tomic as chairman.
The EASC appreciated the candor and honesty of many of the individuals who were interviewed during the course of this investigation. The EASC cautioned that any retaliation by the HDZ against any of these individuals would not be tolerated and could result in the de-certification of the HDZ in Canton 2.
Decisions of the EASC are final and binding and are not subject to appeals.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), 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.
For more information please call OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-449 or at ++387/(0)66 144-311.
The EASC received a complaint from the mayor of Odzak that alleged that the Municipal Election Commission (MEC) had improperly appointed an individual as chairman of the Prud Polling Station Committee.
The EASC investigation found that Slavo Bago, an HDZ candidate for the Federation House of Representatives, improperly attempted to influence the Odzak MEC and the Odzak Municipal Court and that his conduct therefore was incompatible with his candidacy. Mr. Bago was struck as a candidate and his name cannot be replaced. The EASC found that Juro Zecevic, an HDZ candidate for the Cantonal Assembly, attempted to improperly influence the MEC for political purposes. Mr. Zecevic was struck as a candidate and his name cannot be replaced.
The EASC found that Anto Simic, the mayor of Odzak and an HDZ official, had attempted to influence the MEC for political purposes and also improperly retaliated against a municipal employee for political purposes. Because Mr. Simic is not currently a candidate for public office, the EASC sanctioned the HDZ for his actions by striking the first two candidates from the HDZ list for Electoral Unit 202 of the Cantonal Assembly the Cantonal Assembly. The party cannot replace these candidates.
The EASC noted that while Prud Polling Station Committee chairman Matije Jeosic was not involved in any improper activities, he had been named as chairman of that polling station committee as the result of improper influence. As a result, Mr. Jeosic was removed from the position of chairman and the EASC named Nikica Tomic as chairman.
The EASC appreciated the candor and honesty of many of the individuals who were interviewed during the course of this investigation. The EASC cautioned that any retaliation by the HDZ against any of these individuals would not be tolerated and could result in the de-certification of the HDZ in Canton 2.
Decisions of the EASC are final and binding and are not subject to appeals.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), 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.
For more information please call OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-449 or at ++387/(0)66 144-311.