The Ambassador of the United States to BiH, Eric Nelson, urged citizens of the southern city of Mostar to vote in their first local election since 2008, noting that on Sunday many young people in the city will finally have the chance to exercise this right for the first time.
“For ten years already, internal political struggles are preventing the citizens of Mostar from exercising their constitutional right to vote. This will come to an end on December 20. Thanks to an important agreement that has opened the door to necessary changes to the election law, Mostar citizens will finally have a chance to vote for their local government,” Nelson wrote in his blog on Friday.
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The city did not hold an election for more than a decade due to political bickering between the two parties that won the 2008 election, the main Bosniak party in the country, the Party for Democratic Action (SDA), and the strongest Bosnian Croat party, the Croat Democratic Union (HDZ BiH).
Only in June this year did the two parties reach a compromise that allowed elections in Mostar to be held, following a years-long negotiation process.
Local elections took place in Bosnia on November 15, but the one in Mostar is set for December 20.
“You have waited too long for the opportunity to exercise this precious right that represents the fundamental foundation of democracy. Use this right to strengthen your role, let your voice be heard,” Nelson wrote, adding that in his country the pandemic did not prevent citizens from exercising their right to vote as they “took to the polls in record numbers across the United States.”
Nelson especially appealed to the youth of Mostar, expressing his hope that “you will finally use the power you have to influence what will happen in your beautiful city, which has its historic value.”
“For many young voters in Mostar, this will most likely be the first time you have participated in local elections. Know that every vote is important and that voting is your way of taking the future into your own hands,” he wrote.
“Citizens, each of you deserves leaders who are willing to work for your benefit, and not for personal gain or narrow party interests. That is why it is so important that you actively participate in electing those who will represent you. Local issues that directly affect you and your families are at stake,” he wrote.
The U.S. will continue to support efforts to ensure that the election process in the city is fair and transparent, he added.
