ZAKHAROVA: REPEATED ELECTIONS IN SRPSKA - ATTEMPT BY WEST TO DESTABILIZE IT

BELGRADE, FEBRUARY 4 /SRNA/ - Repeating the early presidential elections in Republika Srpska represents another phase of the Western campaign to destabilize Srpska and mock electoral rights and citizens, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

"Solidarity with the political leadership of Republika Srpska, which resolutely and with dignity resists external pressure and leads a just struggle for equal rights of Serbs in BiH as one of the three constituent peoples, is in line with the principles of the Dayton Agreement," Zakharova emphasized. She noted that the elections were preceded by interference in the judicial and security systems of BiH, as well as the resignation of the legitimate President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik and when /SNSD candidate/ Siniša Karan won the early elections, Western countries were dissatisfied, Sputnik reported. "As a result of crude manipulation and pressure on the Central Election Commission of BiH, based on fabricated reasons, the confirmation of election results was prevented and they were ultimately partially annulled with the aim of further escalating the situation and sowing division among Serbs," Zakharova assessed. She believes that the West is artificially creating political tension, violating the sovereignty of BiH and interfering in the country's internal affairs. "It is obvious that the West is resorting to artificially provoking internal political tensions, violating the sovereignty of BiH and interfering in the country's internal affairs in hopes of preserving its fading colonial dominance, based on the principle of 'divide and rule'," Zakharova stated. The Central Election Commission of BiH annulled early elections for the President of Republika Srpska on December 24 at 136 polling stations in 17 electoral units. The elections were held on November 23 last year. The elections will be repeated on Sunday, February 8, at certain polling stations in Prijedor, Laktaši, Banja Luka, Doboj, Stanari, Lopare, Ugljevik, Osmaci, Zvornik, Vlasenica, Bratunac, Nevesinje, Gacko, Rudo, Bileća, Milići and Brčko.