With less than 11 months until the 2024 Local Elections scheduled for next October, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Brian Aggeler, notes that authorities in BiH have so far failed to bring the BiH Election Law in line with international standards and best practices for democratic elections. The necessary amendments have been clearly and repeatedly enumerated and recommended, also after the last general elections held in October 2022, by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), including in its Election Observation Mission Final Report issued in February 2023, and by the Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) and European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission).
The OSCE Mission to BiH urges the responsible authorities to ensure the integrity and transparency of the 2024 Local Elections thus minimizing electoral fraud. It is the responsibility of the BiH authorities to create the conditions necessary to restore the trust of citizens in the integrity of the electoral process. This includes the consistent application of procedural safeguards, the secrecy of the vote, and all other measures aimed at preventing electoral corruption, fraud and irregularities.
We therefore call upon the authorities of BiH to amend the Election Law swiftly and with full respect for international standards, including transparency and inclusiveness. Once appropriately amended, the Election Law must then be implemented properly and equitably.
Furthermore, the OSCE Mission to BiH recognizes the instrumental role played by the Central Election Commission (CEC) in the electoral process and urge all political actors to preserve the independence of the CEC and protect it from political influence or interference. We also warn against any action that could undermine the integrity and impartiality of the CEC and its members.
