The Coalition for free and fair elections “Pod Lupom” informs the public of engaging on Election day 2 600 citizens, non-partisan observers to observe the election process at polling stations (PS) and in local election commissions (LEC).
98% of observers were allowed unhindered access to the polling stations to which they were assigned. The problem in accessing the PS was present in 45 PS, the majority of which are located in Doboj. This situation is currently being resolved with the City Election Commission Doboj and in communication with the polling station committees. It is expected that the Coalition’s observers will be allowed to observe the election process. Similar situation was recorded in a number of PS in Banja Luka. 17 cases were resolved while the remaining ones are in the process of being resolved. Initially, the observers were not allowed into the PS under the pretense of inability to comply with the epidemiological measures, however, they were subsequently allowed the access. This tells us that the observers were not allowed the access because of arbitrary actions of the polling station committee.
In 86% of the cases, all members of the polling station committee were present at the polls at 6:00 hrs.
In 96% of the PS, it was observed that the polling stations were organized according to the Instruction on Operation of the Election Management Bodies on the Election Day in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic issued by the Central Election Commission of BiH. 25 PS failed to comply with the CEC’s instructions.
It raises concerns that every third polling station in the country is missing a list of the polling station committee members and the name of the political subject for each member of the committee, as required.
Some polling station material was missing at 7% of the PS, while ballots were not hand-counted at 2% of the PS.
130 ballots were missing at one PS in Banja Luka. After reporting this critical incident, it was stated that ballots would be delivered subsequently. At 98,8 % of the polls, the ballot box was shown to be empty prior to the opening of the polls.
Total 84% of the polling stations opened at 7:00 hrs, while the remaining polls opened after up to one- hour delay. Three polls opened after a delay of more than one hour: 103B017 in Vlasenica, 123B009 in Han Pijesak and 173A001 in Čapljina.
Secrecy of vote is ensured at all polling stations, the voting booths are set up in a way that no one can see how other person voted.
The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections “Pod Lupom” together with 85 civil society organizations and informal groups has in the 2020 Local election engaged 2 600 citizens, non-partisan observers. Information from the field is received by the Coalition’s Call Center, and reporting is done in real time.
We call on all BiH citizens to report all election irregularities by calling our toll free number 080 05 05 05 or via the following link: https://bih2020.electionsobserver.org/neregularnosti/
The first Press conference will take place at 11:00 hrs at Hotel Holiday in Sarajevo, followed by a press release.
