The BiH CEC requests recommendations for procedures from the BiH Protection and Rescue Coordination Body
The Central Election Commission had on April 16, 2020 sent to the BiH Protection and Rescue Coordination Body an Information and a request, followed by an reminder on April 23, 2020, to submit recommendations for the conduct of election-related activities in line with Article 17, paragraph (1), point c) of the Framework Law on Protection and Rescue of People and Property in the Event of Natural or Other Disasters in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Considering the fact that the House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly announced the session in May, it is not certain that the addenda to the BiH Election Law, initiated by the BiH CEC, will be adopted. Applicable legal norms obligate the BiH CEC to make the Decision on announcing and administering the 2020 Local Elections by May 7th, 2020 at the latest and the elections should be held on October 4, 2020. The statutory deadlines for conduct of electoral activities start running immediately after this decision enters into force.
Having in mind the epidemiological situation in BiH caused by COVID-19 and the fact that numerous restrictive measures prescribed by the competent institutions responsible for the citizens’ health and safety are in force and that the BiH CEC must initiate the activities that are either contrary to certain measures or the measures set significantly hinder implementation of the activities, the BiH CEC must receive recommendations for procedures when conducting electoral activities from the BiH Protection and Rescue Coordination Body, all aimed at coordination of all activities with the competent institutions and avoidance of making decision and taking actions contrary to the prescribed measures.
The BiH Central Election Commission provided detailed information to the BiH Protection and Rescue Coordination Body about the activities that must be completed in May and June after the 2020 Local Elections are announced, and that might have a certain level of risk considering the current situation.
We remind the public of provisions of Article 2.1, paragraph (3) of the BiH Election law that sets forth that all bodies of authority at all levels, officials in BiH and diplomatic and consular representation offices of BiH are obliged to assist the competent authorities responsible for the conduct of elections.
Letters mentioned in the press release are attached hereto.