The ‘Pod lupom’ Coalition has recorded 1,367 electoral irregularities since the beginning of the citizen, non-partisan observation mission for the 2024 Local Elections. The most significant number of irregularities concerns the misuse of public funds and resources (372 cases), irregularities in the formation of polling station committees (323 cases), and irregularities in the election campaign (279 cases). The political parties responsible for the most irregularities are: SNSD (213), SDS (202), SDA (171), HDZ BiH (161), and SDP (122). They are responsible for over three-quarters (77.1%) of all recorded electoral irregularities, indicating that they are violators of electoral rules and should be most strictly sanctioned.
The ‘Pod lupom’ Coalition emphasized that, unfortunately, even in the 2024 Local Election campaign, the focus is being shifted away from key issues and the genuine needs of citizens due to the inflammatory rhetoric of political entities, the discrediting of opponents, voter intimidation, and the exploitation of children for political purposes.
Politicians are using emotionally charged language that incites fear, hatred, or divisions within society. Such rhetoric not only polarizes the public but also shifts the focus away from constructive discussions about real problems. Furthermore, instead of conducting debates based on ideas and programs, political entities are actively working on discrediting their opponents, using personal attacks on their opponents’ honor and dignity. These attacks distract from genuinely important issues, says the ‘Pod lupom’ Coalition.
The Coalition also points out that the pressures on voters are particularly alarming, including an increasing number of reports of vote-buying and instances of pressure exerted on employees in public institutions, organizations, and companies. Furthermore, it is alarming that a large number of cases of child exploitation for political purposes continue to emerge despite the new Amendments to the BiH Election Law, which now explicitly prohibit this.
There are cases where children are given party materials, rallies are held in and around educational institutions, photos of children are shared on social media, and children are actively involved in the election campaign (e.g., wearing party propaganda symbols, etc.). In this way, children’s fundamental rights continue to be violated, such as their right to protection from exploitation for political purposes, their right to privacy, and protection from ideological pressures,” says Pod lupom.
Based on all these findings, Pod lupom has filed 288 reports with the Central Election Commission (CEC). Thus far, the CEC has issued 71 sanctions based on the Coalition’s reports, including 146,000 KM in fines and the removal of 45 individuals from polling station committees.
At the press conference, the Coalition also presented the “Election Experience Map,“ which includes both positive and negative experiences citizens have had with the elections.
Why is this important? Citizens’ opinions, whether praise or criticism, directly impact the improvement of the electoral process. This election map in BiH will reflect the real needs and expectations of citizens and make it easier to identify and sanction electoral irregularities,” added the ‘Pod lupom’ Coalition, stating that citizens can still share their positive or negative experiences through the form at https://mojeiskustvo.podlupom.org/, and especially encouraging them to do so on Election Day, October 6.
The ‘Pod lupom’ Coalition also calls on citizens to go to the polls and exercise their right to vote.
It is very important that we all vote for those we believe will best represent our interests over the next four years. We demanded new technologies in the elections and are moving toward fully implementing them in future elections after testing them in this one. And now – Everyone, Cast Your Vote!” the Coalition adds.
Political entities are also urged to respect the electoral rules, refrain from irregularities on Election Day, and observe the upcoming election silence. The ‘Pod lupom’ Coalition will report all electoral irregularities to the relevant institutions.
