The Coalition “Pod lupom” published key findings from its observation of the postponed elections by 3:00 PM, based on reports from citizen observers deployed in Jablanica.
Irregularities that traditionally recur from election cycle to election cycle, such as family voting, have been recorded. This irregularity was recorded at 4 polling stations (126A004, 126A005, 126A013 and 126A019). It is not uncommon that several family members enter a voting booth together. This irregularity represents a kind of traditional heritage not only in BiH. However, if frequent, they may have a strong impact on the electoral process.
Voting without verification of required identification documents was recorded at 2 polling stations (126A002, 126A005). Incorrect identification of voters can indicate to numerous electoral irregularities such as multiple voting (one person voting at several polling stations or at one polling station several times) or voting on behalf of other person (voting on behalf of abstainers, voting on behalf of the deceased, etc.). On the other hand, improper identification can also be a consequence due to the Polling Station Committee’s members have private relations with the voter.
The irregularity where one person helps more voters to vote in the voting booth was recorded at 6 polling stations (126A001, 126A002, 126A004, 126A005, 126A013 and 126A018). These cases may point to voter-assistance abuse, which is most commonly seen in organized voter-assistants who, with the permission of the Polling Station Committee members, illegally assist a larger number of voters. Using this manipulation, political parties’ activists often bring huge number of people to the polling station to “help” them vote.
Additionally, at 3 polling stations, voters who received assistance from another person did not have confirmation that such assistance was necessary. (126A001, 126A013, 126A020). However, in such cases, the Polling Station Committee do have the discretion to allow a voter to receive assistance without proof of such need if they determine that the voter is unable to vote independently. However, cases like this require additional verification of whether electoral irregularities have occurred.
Voters turned away from the polling station because they were not on the Central Voter Register Excerpt (CVR) is recorded at 4 polling stations (126A001, 126A002, 126A004, 126A005) and it is also more about formal omissions because voters did not come to the appropriate polling station where they should vote.
Voter Turnout by 3:00 PM
The “Under Scrutiny” coalition also monitors information on turnout in the 2024 Local elections in Jablanica. The recorded turnout in the postponed elections by 3:00 PM is 52.9% (with a margin of statistical error of +/- 3.21% at a 95% confidence interval).
The turnout in the regular Local Elections held on October 6 by 3:00 PM was 33.2% (with a margin of statistical error of +/- 0.84% at a 95% confidence interval).
The “Pod lupom” Coalition invites citizens to share all their positive or negative election experiences today through the form available at https://mojeiskustvo.podlupom.org/. Citizens can also continue to report any election irregularities via the toll-free phone number 080 05 05 05
Regarding the election process for the postponed elections in Jablanica, the public and the media will be informed of the Coalition’s findings in real-time through press releases and media updates, which will be published on www.podlupom.org
