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Smooth and efficient elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 12 November 2000
SARAJEVO, 12 November 2000 - Ambassador Robert Barry, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, stated Sunday that the 11 November general elections were the smoothest and most efficiently run democratic elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina ever.
"Yesterday's elections represented a true success for democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This success is in no small part due to the commitment of the 40,000 local election workers and monitors," said Ambassador Barry. "We believe this success demonstrates the high level of engagement of the citizens of BiH in the development of this country as it takes its place in the region and in Europe."
Turnout is estimated at about 65%, comparable to the figure for the April 2000 municipal elections. Some 2.5 million voters were eligible to vote in races for the BiH state-level House of Representatives. In addition, there were elections in the Republika Srpska for the president and vice president and the RS National Assembly, while Federation votes elected a new House of Representatives and new cantonal assemblies. Finally, local elections were held in the municipality of Srebrenica, where local elections were postponed from April. In total, 5814 candidates, from 44 political parties, one coalition, five independent candidates and three lists of independent candidates ran in the various levels of elections.
These elections represent the first time that the open list system has been used in elections for the state-level House of Representatives, entity parliaments and cantonal assemblies. It was also the first time that the preferential voting system was used for the RS presidency and vice presidency.
Over 7,000 domestic observers were registered from citizens groups and local non-governmental organizations, spearheaded by the organizations such as "Elections 2000" and the Center for Civic Initiatives (CCI). These observers played a critical role in all phases of the election day process, observing the voting process through the day and the counting process after polling stations closed at 1900 hrs. In addition to domestic and international observers, approximately 30,000 local political party observers were in the field on election day.
The counting process began Saturday as soon as polls closed, and preliminary figures are expected to be released beginning on Monday. Final results will be released once they have been certified by the Provisional Election Commission.
For more information, contact OSCE BiH Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-222 or ++387/(0)66 144-311.
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.
"Yesterday's elections represented a true success for democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This success is in no small part due to the commitment of the 40,000 local election workers and monitors," said Ambassador Barry. "We believe this success demonstrates the high level of engagement of the citizens of BiH in the development of this country as it takes its place in the region and in Europe."
Turnout is estimated at about 65%, comparable to the figure for the April 2000 municipal elections. Some 2.5 million voters were eligible to vote in races for the BiH state-level House of Representatives. In addition, there were elections in the Republika Srpska for the president and vice president and the RS National Assembly, while Federation votes elected a new House of Representatives and new cantonal assemblies. Finally, local elections were held in the municipality of Srebrenica, where local elections were postponed from April. In total, 5814 candidates, from 44 political parties, one coalition, five independent candidates and three lists of independent candidates ran in the various levels of elections.
These elections represent the first time that the open list system has been used in elections for the state-level House of Representatives, entity parliaments and cantonal assemblies. It was also the first time that the preferential voting system was used for the RS presidency and vice presidency.
Over 7,000 domestic observers were registered from citizens groups and local non-governmental organizations, spearheaded by the organizations such as "Elections 2000" and the Center for Civic Initiatives (CCI). These observers played a critical role in all phases of the election day process, observing the voting process through the day and the counting process after polling stations closed at 1900 hrs. In addition to domestic and international observers, approximately 30,000 local political party observers were in the field on election day.
The counting process began Saturday as soon as polls closed, and preliminary figures are expected to be released beginning on Monday. Final results will be released once they have been certified by the Provisional Election Commission.
For more information, contact OSCE BiH Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/(0)33 292-222 or ++387/(0)66 144-311.
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.