General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2010: Lessons Learned
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General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2010: Lessons Learned Strasbourg, April 2011 The publication of this book was funded by the Council of Europe and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway. Prelom-final eng.indd 3 9.6.2011 11:43:09 Contributors: Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina • Irena Hadžiabdić and Goran Cicović, Centers for Civil Initiatives BiH • Adis Arapović, Transparency International BiH • Srđan Blagovčanin and Ivana Korajlić, Association of Election Officials of BiH • Zvjezdana Dragović and Alena Čavdar, Women to Women BiH • Memnuna Zvizdić, Association of National Minorities of RS •• ParliamentaryMaja Kremenović, Assembly of the Council of Europe Europe is not responsible for the content of the articles. The authors are solely responsible for the contentDisclaimer: of their The work.Council of Europe funded the printing and translation of this book. The Council of Prelom-final eng.indd 4 9.6.2011 11:43:09 Table of Contents Foreword 7 Irena Hadžiabdić 9 General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Analysis and Preliminary Conclusions Goran Cicović 31 Overview of Multiparty Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina Adis Arapović 65 Analysis of Pre-election Rhetoric Srđan Blagovčanin and Ivana Korajlić 79 Political Party Financing in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Lessons (not) Learned Zvjezdana Dragović and Alena Čavdar 93 The Role of NGOs in the Electoral Process (1990-2010) Memnuna Zvizdić 109 Women and Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina Maja Kremenović 121 National Minorities and 2010 General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe 133 Observation of the General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina List of Acronyms 149 Prelom-final eng.indd 5 9.6.2011 11:43:09 Design: Printer:Agency ‘Industrija’ Grafika Šaran 6 COUNCIL OF EUROPE Prelom-final eng.indd 6 9.6.2011 11:43:09 Foreword Elections are an essential step in the democratisation process. They are a crucial oppor- range of human rights. Elections are the test for the organisation of the political process and tunity for political participation and an important element for the full enjoyment of a wide an indicator of freedom of the media, expression, association, etc. They have a direct impact orderon the to legitimacy enhance free of institutional and fair elections frameworks. and the Theprocess Council of democratisation. of Europe is promoting, in its member States, pre-electoral or electoral assistance and providing election observation, in th 3On October 20 January 2010. 2010, at its 1075 session, the Committee of Ministers approved “The Action Plan to support the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, which were organised on The implementation of the pre-electoral Action Plan started in February 2010 and was de- fined and carried out to ensure a maximum impact on voters. This plan was implemented in close co-operation with the Central Election Commission (CEC), with different authorities fromin Bosnia several and domestic Herzegovina NGOs. at all levels, notably the Ministries of Education, in continuous consultation with the political parties of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and with important input - ternational actors active during the campaign. The Council of Europe assumed the role of Extensive consultations were carried out with other international organisations and in co-ordinating the activities of the different organisations present in the field by collecting information and establishing programmes for assistance targeting specific issues. The financing of the Action Plan was fully ensured through the Council of Europe budget and voluntary contributions from three member States (Germany, Norway and Switzerland). proposalsThe level offor financing the conduct allowed of elections. for an extension of voter awareness-raising activities and ensured the implementation of follow-up activities to define further needs and formulate - Learned”.In order to The contribute book is toa compilationthe continuity of ofreports the reforms on the in 2010 Bosnia General and Herzegovina, Elections prepared the Coun by memberscil of Europe of various prepared international the book “Bosnia and domestic and Herzegovina. non-governmental General Elections organisations 2010 present - Lessons in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Bosnia and Herzegovina General Elections 2010 - Lessons Learned” is divided into eight chapters, which tackle the main issues in every election including analysis and preliminary conclusions, election results, party financing, the media, the role of NGOs in the electoral General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2010: Lessons Learned 7 Prelom-final eng.indd 7 9.6.2011 11:43:09 - ing reports of international organisations. process, women’s participation, and the position of national minorities, as well as monitor This publication could serve as a reference for the next elections. It will be useful for future election officials, election observers, members of political parties, governmental officials, Members of Parliament, election administration, candidates, civil society and voters. - Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all local and international organisa tions and individuals, who kindly contributed to this book, in particular: the Norwegian- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (financial support), the Central Elections Commission Bosnia and Herzegovina (CEC), the Centres of Civic Initiatives (CCI), Transparency International Bos- nia and Herzegovina (TI), Women to Women, the Association of Election Officials of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Association of the National Minorities of Republika Srpska, the Parlia mentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, as well as Igor Davor Gaon, Irena Hadžiabdić, Goran Cicović, Adis Arapović, Srđan Blagovčanin, Ivana Korajlić, Zvjezdana Dragović, Maja Kremenović and Memnuna Zvizdić. Jean-Louis Laurens CouncilDirector of GeneralEurope Democracy and Political Affairs 8 COUNCIL OF EUROPE Prelom-final eng.indd 8 9.6.2011 11:43:10 1 General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3 October 2010 - Analysis and Preliminary Conclusions - Irena Hadžiabdić General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2010: Lessons Learned 9 Prelom-final eng.indd 9 9.6.2011 11:43:10 Introduction The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina started preparing for the 2010 togeneral secure elections funds for immediately vital activities after which analyzing were thenot 2008covered local by elections. the approved The mainbudget objective for the elections.for 2010 was The modernizing latest amendments all stages and of theadditions election to process, the BiH toElectoral increase Law voter contributed turnout, and to 1 a more efficient electoral process, as certain deadlines were shortened. In particular, the deadline to file complaints2 and about insisting a breach on matching of electoral signatures rights in was identity shortened documents to 24 andhours. for theOther electoral amended register regulations3. include defining individual share of accountability for Election Commission Members, The elections have shown that we have achieved good results in terms of voter turnout. We have managed to secure donor funding for modernizing the system through a joint USAID / OSCE project. We also partnered with the Council and Europe and the Swiss Embassy to print manuals for polling officials and observers. Nevertheless we cannot be fully satisfied. The system’s modernization that began this year is an ongoing process that rendered its itsfirst own results weaknesses. during these The elections.Central Election However, Commission the process discovered is not complete irregularities and we inneed more to continue improving the system. Besides that, the Election Commissions’ work showed professionalism of the Election Commissions. than 140 polling stations. Therefore we must find ways to enhance the efficiency and 1. Notes on the 2010 General Elections Herzegovina organized by domestic authorities. The legislative framework for the administrationThe 2010 General of elections Elections, in Bosniaheld on and 3October, Herzegovina are the is stipulated fourth elections by the Electionin Bosnia Law and of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 4 General elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina are held for: The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina The House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina • The President and the Vice Presidents of Republika Srpska • The National Assembly of Republika Srpska • • 1 Instructions on procedures for complaints and appeals submitted to the Central Election Commission and election 2 commissions – “Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina” No. 37/10 3 Regulations on conducting elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina - “Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina” No. 437/10 Regulations on the handling the Central Voters Registry - “Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina” No. 37/10 “Official Gazette of BiH”, no. 23/01, 7/02, 9/02, 20/02, 25/02, 4/04, 20/04, 25/05, 52/05, 65/05, 77/05, 11/06, 24/06, 32/07, 33/08, 37/08 and 32/10 10 COUNCIL OF EUROPE Prelom-final eng.indd 10 9.6.2011 11:43:10 The House of Representatives of the Parliament of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina • Cantonal Assemblies • 2. Electoral System of Bosnia and Herzegovina The electoral system of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a combination of almost all voting schemes in use: the plurality principle and single-member constituencies for the Presidency, Thethe proportionalsystem of proportional principle andrepresentation multi-member using constituencies