The High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt, addressed the public today and announced the Decision to impose changes to the Election Law.
Schmidt said that this works for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It has been discussed for a long time, many organizations have contributed to it. I will do today what should have been done years ago. Guarantee of free and fair elections for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I want to announce the decision by which I make changes to the Election Law in accordance with my mandate. I am doing this for all the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt imposed changes to the Election Law and said: International judges remain!
“Sometimes I have the impression that when we all talk to Ministers and Parliaments, who should come out and vote for Parliament? These are all citizens of this country, regardless of nationality and other things. I want to underline that I am addressing people in both entities and the Brcko District. There is no discrimination here and it will not be possible while I am here. That is my duty under the Dayton Agreement. We have to work for all of them”, said the high representative in his address.
He says there will be additional opportunities for competent authorities to get involved in the process because voters cannot wait any longer.
“I have no intention of devoting myself to this every day and I wish we could have come to decisions earlier. People have the right to be sure that their vote in the elections will be counted as it was given, and at that crucial moment in BiH, I mean EU integration, citizens must be sure that politicians will make important decisions. They were chosen by the voters and let’s make sure that every vote is counted correctly,” said Schmidt.
“My position one day when Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of the European Union, my position will be a thing of the past. Many things will be resolved and my mandate will be fulfilled. Since we are talking about international judges these days, I have to say that we have to look at the EU agreements”, the high representative points out in his speech.
The US Embassy spoke about the Decisions of the High Representative:
“The United States of America welcomes the decision of the High Representative to impose changes to the Election Law in order to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process in BiH,” states the reaction of the US Embassy in BiH to today’s decision by Christian Schmidt.
“We regret that all parties did not engage in good faith or truly commit to electoral integrity. Their failure is why High Representative had to act. It is of vital importance to ensure that the elections are free and fair and that the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina know that their ballots will be counted as they were cast,” the US Embassy said in a reaction.
