Campaigning for Bosnia local polls opens

Campaigning for Bosnia’s local elections officially has opened. It comes amid warnings of stern sanctions against those found guilty of radical and divisive rhetoric. Campaigning for Bosnia local polls opens Political tensions have already been rising over the past month, with politicians hardening their positions, which has traditionally proved to be a winning ticket for the ruling nationalist parties. The Bosnian Central Election Commission stressed that it has a wide range of sanctions at its disposal – starting from financial penalties to the removal of candidates and even entire parties – in order to prevent the further radicalization of the political scene. However, when asked, election commission officials’ were not able to explain what kind of statements would be considered unacceptable or illegal. The election commission added that every incident will be regarded and analyzed independently, local media reported The Office of Bosnia’s top international envoy, High Representative Miroslav Lajcak, has also warned it has powers to dismiss those who are found to work against the Bosnian Constitution or the Dayton peace accord. Yet some local politicians and analysts have complained that this was just an empty threat as the Office of the High Representative has failed to punish those accused of hardline statements ahead of the 2006 general elections. Most political parties will already organize their first, central rallies on Friday and over the weekend. The pre-election campaign will last until October 4, when a 24 hour election silence starts ahead of the October 5 ballot. A total of 3,024,127 citizens are registered to vote in 4,985 polling stations across the country. A total of 80 political parties, alliances and independent lists are registered to participate in the ballot with 29,043 verified candidates, who will compete for positions in 149 municipalities in Bosnia’s two entities - the Federation and Republic of Srpska – as well as in the Brcko district.

Campaigning for Bosnia local polls opens

Political tensions have already been rising over the past month, with politicians hardening their positions, which has traditionally proved to be a winning ticket for the ruling nationalist parties.

The Bosnian Central Election Commission stressed that it has a wide range of sanctions at its disposal – starting from financial penalties to the removal of candidates and even entire parties – in order to prevent the further radicalization of the political scene.

However, when asked, election commission officials’ were not able to explain what kind of statements would be considered unacceptable or illegal. The election commission added that every incident will be regarded and analyzed independently, local media reported

The Office of Bosnia’s top international envoy, High Representative Miroslav Lajčak, has also warned it has powers to dismiss those who are found to work against the Bosnian Constitution or the Dayton peace accord.

Yet some local politicians and analysts have complained that this was just an empty threat as the Office of the High Representative has failed to punish those accused of hardline statements ahead of the 2006 general elections.

Most political parties will already organize their first, central rallies on Friday and over the weekend. The pre-election campaign will last until October 4, when a 24 hour election silence starts ahead of the October 5 ballot.

A total of 3,024,127 citizens are registered to vote in 4,985 polling stations across the country.

A total of 80 political parties, alliances and independent lists are registered to participate in the ballot with 29,043 verified candidates, who will compete for positions in 149 municipalities in Bosnia’s two entities - the Federation and Republic of Srpska – as well as in the Brcko district.