Following another one in a series of failed negotiations between political leaders on how to reform the Election Law in the Federation, one of Bosnia's two semi-autonomous entities, the host of the meeting, US Ambassador to Bosnia, Maureen Cormack, expressed hope but also concern should a new law not be adopted.

 “After just finishing a meeting on electoral reform, we still believe political leaders can reach an agreement. They should focus on finding a solution and avoiding serious blockades that would come after the elections,” Cormack tweeted, via the US Embassy in Sarajevo account on Wednesday evening.

“What we also need to start seriously considering are the consequences that would arise if political leaders are unable to find a solution,” she wrote, referring to the possibility that the election results may be invalid should the law remain unchanged.

Talks on electoral reform in Bosnia have been in a deadlock for some time, despite international mediation and advise. Two years ago the Constitutional Court ruled that some provisions of the Election Law were inconsistent with the state Constitution. Since then the authorities have failed to act in the legally allowed time-frame resulting in a further court ruling to delete two sections of the Election Law that treats the matter of representation in the FBiH House of Peoples.

As the October election is approaching, as well as the early May deadline to announce the election, the talks have been intensified but with no success.

“I've seen a lot of public debate about who is to be blamed, and I've seen politicians use electoral reform as a campaign issue,” Cormack wrote.

“We will not allow politicians to hide behind and blame the international community if a solution is not found, and citizens should not either. Responsibility lies with BiH leaders,” she concluded.

New talks on the issue are to take place on May 3.