In response to an invitation from the authorities in Bosnia-Herzegovina the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will carry out a remote observation procedure on 29 and 30 October, for local elections set for 15 November.
This new remote format has been introduced as a temporary procedure in exceptional situations, such as the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, on the basis of Congress Resolution 455 (2020) adopted by the Statutory Forum as part of the broader debate on the Congress’ report on Local and Regional Elections in Major Crisis Situations.
The delegation comprises the Congress members represented on the Council for Democratic Elections/Venice Commission, including Stewart Dickson (United Kingdom, ILDG), Jos Wienen (Netherlands, PPC/CCE), Rosaleen O'Grady (Ireland, ILDG), Vladimir Prebelic (Slovenia, SOC/G/PD) and Randi Mondorf (Denmark, ILDG). The team will be supported by Colin Copus, member of the Group of Independent Experts on the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
On 29 October, the Congress delegation will hold several online briefings with stakeholders in the election process, in particular with Željko Bakalar, President of the Central Election Commission of BiH, as well as with representatives of the international community in Sarajevo, the Association of local authorities of Republika Srpska, the Association of municipalities and cities of the Federation of BiH, and the media. On 30 October, online meetings are planned with Marinko Čavara, Head of BiH Delegation to Council of Europe and President of the Federation of BiH and the members of the Congress Delegation to BiH, as well as with mayoral candidates and representatives of political parties running in the elections. Furthermore, online briefings with representatives of several domestic NGOs have been arranged.
