What is voter coercion? What to do for the next election?

15.03.2023

Every citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina has the right to decide the candidate to vote for. Voter coercion and intimidation...

What is voter coercion? What to do for the next election? Every citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina has the right to decide the candidate to vote for. Voter coercion and intimidation are reflected in various corrupt methods that threaten personal security. Examples of illegal pressures on voters are as follows: offering or promising to voters new employment, threatening voters that they will be fired in exchange for a vote, forcing voters to go to a party meeting and giving donations, gifts, threats, calls for violence and threatening the security, etc. Although illegal, voter coercion and vote buying have become a usual practice at the elections in BiH. Observers of the Coalition reported 27 such cases in 18 municipalities/cities. These cases relate to allegations on money being offered in exchange for a vote, coercion of employees in the public enterprises, and so on. The rumors on vote buying were recorded in several municipalities/cities, and the prices range from 50 to 200 KM. Concerns are raised by the reports of the long-term observers that such discussions and negotiations are accepted and that citizens do not shy away from vote selling, as well as that there is no understanding of these actions actually being criminal offences. At the same time citizens who report such cases refuse to publicly talk about this in fear of retaliation in the local communities and are not willing to report it to the competent bodies In its Final Report of the Election Observation Mission, ODIHR states as early as 2018 that political entities should respect the law and refrain from exerting pressure on voters. Cases of alleged pressure on voters should be investigated quickly, thoroughly and efficiently, and prosecutors and the BiH CEC should promptly hold the perpetrators accountable.

15.03.2023

Every citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina has the right to decide the candidate to vote for. Voter coercion and intimidation...

How the secrecy of voting is ensured in elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina?

13.03.2023

As opposed to previous election cycles, for the 2022 General Election, new regulations were introduced that sought to ensure the...

How to advance the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Polling station committees – deficiencies in functioning and essential improvements

09.03.2023

Polling station committees are part of the election administration, and they are ad hoc bodies that are appointed before each...

How to advance the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina? Election campaign – experiences and how to regulate it?

07.03.2023

The BiH Election Law defines election campaign as a period of 30 days before the Election Day in which political...

Perpetuum mobile: Consultations and regional meeting with officers dealing with youth affairs for the regions East Sarajevo, Bijeljina and Trebinje

07.03.2023

As part of the project "Transparent and sustainable", on February 24 2023, was held a regional meeting and consultations with...

The Center for Civic Cooperation (CGS): twelve network meetings have been organized in twelve municipalities/cities of southwestern BiH

07.03.2023

The Center for Civic Cooperation from Livno held twelve network meetings with representatives of local communities, non-governmental organizations, local administration...

Testing of the computerization of the electoral system in BiH has started; we bring you an explanation of what this will mean

27.02.2023

Testing of the electronic system to identify voters and enter number of votes has started, which is characterized as a...

Observers allowed access to all polling stations in Prijedor; no serious irregularities

After the 2022 General Elections: The Coalition “Pod lupom” highlights its 10 priority recommendations for better elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina

16.02.2023

While, on one hand, the 2022 election year passed in the shadow of failed attempts pertaining to the electoral reform...

Forum of Tuzla citizens: Initiative „Trapped air“ has been presented in Tuzla

15.02.2023

The initiative's aim is to contribute to the responsible management of public resources, which implicitly reduces the possibility of corruption...

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