OSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission for general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, 3 September 2014 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission for the 12 October 2014 general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The mission is led by Corien Jonker and consists of 11 experts based in Sarajevo and 20 long-term observers to be deployed across the country. In addition, ODIHR will request 300 short-term observers to monitor election day proceedings.  

The mission will assess these elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections, as well as with domestic legislation. Observers will closely monitor candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

In the course of observation, the mission will meet with representatives of relevant authorities and of political parties, as well as with candidates, and with representatives of the judiciary, civil society, the media and the international community.

On election day, observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results at all levels.

The day after the elections, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

The OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina operate separately under their specific mandates.

For further information, please contact Marek Mracka, Media Analyst with the election observation mission, at +387 61 202081 (Sarajevo mobile) or at marek.mracka@odihr.ba (e-mail).

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Thomas Rymer, OSCE/ODIHR Spokesperson, at +48 609 522 266 (Warsaw mobile),+387 61 204654 (Sarajevo mobile) or at thomas.rymer@odihr.pl (e-mail).