KOŠARAC: DECISION TO ANNUL ELECTIONS - CONTINUATION OF CAMPAIGN AGAINST REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

SARAJEVO, DECEMBER 24 /SRNA/ – Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers Staša Košarac told SRNA that the scandalous and unfounded decision of the Central Election Commission of BiH /CEC BiH/ to annul the snap elections for President of Republika Srpska at multiple polling stations represents a continuation of the campaign against Republika Srpska and an attempt to delegitimize the Serb people in BiH.

Košarac said that, under the patronage of Christian Schmidt, the current composition of the CEC, appointed along party lines and contrary to the law, continues its attempts to annul the electoral will of the Serb people. "Their goal is to install an anational candidate in the position of President of Republika Srpska, who would serve their interests to the detriment of Republika Srpska and the Serb people. Sarajevo wants to choose the President of Republika Srpska and control the will of the Serb people," Košarac said. Unfortunately, he added, this anti-Serb endeavor also involves a "pitiful and desperate opposition" /in Republika Srpska/, hoping to achieve victory on the wings of support from the CEC and Schmidt, rather than through the democratic will of the citizens of Srpska. Košarac said that the Serb people clearly supported Siniša Karan and the policies of SNSD President Milorad Dodik, and that the expressed democratic will must be respected. "The framework composed of CEC, Schmidt and the opposition is trying to annul that will. Such BiH has no chance," Košarac said. CEC BiH today adopted a decision annulling the snap elections for President of Republika Srpska at 136 polling stations in 17 electoral units. The decision is not final and is subject to appeal.