Bosnia’s Central Election Commission (CEC BiH) fined the Republika Srpska (RS) entity President with BAM 7,000 (around EUR 3,500) for hate speech he used in one of his election rallies. The CEC also fined his party with BAM 5,000 (around EUR 2,500) for allowing Dodik to use hate speech.

“The Central Election Commission fined the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) for allowing their candidate for Bosnia’s tripartite Presidency member, Milorad Dodik, to use the kind of language which could lead someone to violence or which could spread hatred,” the CEC BiH said.

The SNSD party was fined with BAM 5,000 (around EUR 2,500).

“The SNSD’s candidate Milorad Dodik was fined for using the kind of language which could instigate violence or spread hatred among people, during an election rally in Bileca (South-East Bosnia),” the CEC BiH said, adding that both the SNSD and Milorad Dodik are fined in accordance with Bosnia’s Election Law.

Milorad Dodik’s fine amounted to BAM 7,000 (around EUR 3,500).

The CEC BiH fined both the Democratic Action Party (SDA) and their candidate Bego Gutic with BAM 5,000 (around EUR 2,500), each, for the same infringement.

According to Bosnia’s election watchdog, Bego Gutic had used the language which could instigate violence or spread hatred among people, leading to the fine which was determined in accordance with Bosnia’s Election Law.

Bosnia's general election will be held on October 7.