With the unveiling of campaign posters, panel discussions, press conferences and the dispersal of promotional material, political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina have officially launched their election campaigns ahead of the general election scheduled for the 12th of October.
Although, most will agree, the campaigns already began after the May floods, today the parties can officially and lawfully display their posters and make their promises to the general public.
The Central Election Commission of BiH called on all political parties, candidates and supporters of parties to refrain from the use of nationalist and anti-government rhetoric and statements that raise tension, of which there were plenty throughout this year, since natural disasters brought out the vulnerability of the government and gave the opposition plenty to talk about.
The President of the CEC, Stjepan Mikic, yesterday noted that according to the Election Law during the period of the campaign the removal of promotional posters is not allowed, further more campaigns must refrain from violating gender equality, from putting up posters on facilities of public institutions, religious and educational institutions, while the hampering of meetings organized by political parties is also illegal.
When it comes to election observes, CEC has, to date, accredited 82 observes, of which 34 are international.
General Elections 2014
– 3,278,908 registered voters
– 65 political parties certified
– 24 independent candidates
– 24 coalitions certified
– 7748 candidates
