BiH Central Election Commission receives election scanners, issues penalties to parties

Alongside operational updates, the election authority passed multiple sanctions addressing pre-election breaches of the Election Law, primarily concerning premature campaigning and the involvement of minors in political activities.

The Sigurna Srpska Movement was penalised 15,000 Bosnian marks (approx. €7,670) across two distinct cases. The CEC imposed a 10,000 marks (approx. €5,110) fine on the party for publishing photographs of children at a political event. In connection with the incident, candidate Adrijana Basara was fined 3,500 marks (approx. €1,790), while Mirna Savic Banjac and Tanja Palackovic received individual fines of 3,000 marks (approx. €1,530). In a second ruling involving social media posts featuring children, the movement incurred an additional 5,000 marks (approx. €2,560) fine, alongside a 4,000 marks (approx. €2,050) fine levied against Drasko Stanivukovic.

Sanctions were also issued against the People and Justice Party (NiP), which received a 4,000 marks (approx. €2,050) fine for premature campaigning. Furthermore, the People’s Force party was fined 4,000 marks (approx. €2,050) for utilising children in political promotion, while party candidate Edin Kajevic was personally fined 4,000 marks (approx. €2,050) for publishing images of minors.

Regarding administrative preparations, CEC members Vanja Bjelica Prutina and Zeljko Bakalar highlighted the need for strict oversight regarding the composition and operation of polling station committees. The CEC subsequently amended remuneration rates, establishing a 310 marks (approx. €158) compensation fee for election operators.

In addition, the commission awarded a contract for the printing and packaging of candidate lists to a consortium consisting of Smartmatic BiH, Smartmatic International, and the DSC Agency for the Protection of People and Property, valued at 102,558 marks (approx. €52,437) excluding VAT.

The session concluded with the processing of observer accreditation requests submitted by international entities and diplomatic missions, including the embassies of Greece, Turkey, and the United States, the EU Delegation to BiH, the European Association for Democracy and Dialogue, and the Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina.