We got what we expected on Sunday along with some surprises, but the citizens must have been satisfied because they voted for the same parties as in the last general election, Bosnia’s High Representative Valentin Inzko told N1.
Commenting on the relatively low turnout on Bosnia’s general election which took place on Sunday, October 7, the High Representative, who oversees the civilian implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement that ended the war in Bosnia (1992-1995), said that Bosnia should explore some solutions such as those in Belgum, Australia and other countries where voting is obligatory.
Asked to comment on some reports of whooping 400,000 irregular ballots, Inzko said that every country has irregular ballots, but that their average is around one to one and a half percent. Bosnian average will probably be around seven percent which is impossible to explain, he noted.
I his opinion the OSCE and the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina should do something about this after the ballot count is over.
Speaking of the still unofficially, newly elected Presidency members Sefik Dzaferovic, Zeljko Komsic and Milorad Dodik, he said various politicians asked him to suspend Dodik for something he’s been saying for the past 10 years, “but Dodik should be given a chance to show what he’ll do in the Presidency. He will listen to what Belgrade and Moscow are telling him, and they support Bosnia’s territorial integrity,” Inzko told N1.
“What amazes me is that people criticising the situation in the country are reacting differently on the election day,” the High Representative noted.
His message to the newly elected officials is that they should agree on some four or five basic things.
“It would be a great advantage and a win for Bosnia’s economy, infrastructure, tourism ecology and agriculture. If everyone cooperates in these fieldy, they could achieve great results. They could also agree on the rule of law and no one would have anything to lose there.”
The High Representative added that as a great talent exporter, Bosnia should give these young, successful people a chance to prove themselves at home.
