SDS MAY BOYCOTT REPEAT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

BANJA LUKA, JANUARY 24 /SRNA/ – The Serb Democratic Party /SDS/ does not rule out the possibility of boycotting the repeat presidential elections in Republika Srpska if the Central Election Commission /ECE/ of BiH does not change the rulebook that prevents political entities from accrediting new members of election boards and observers, the party stated at today’s press conference in Banja Luka.

SDS Deputy Leader Želimir Nešković said that no CEC rulebook can be above the Electoral Law of BiH, and that they must have the right to at least one member on each election board, as well as observers. Nešković claims that the current system does not allow for a fair electoral process and that SDS would be in a "worse position than during November 23 elections held last year." SDS MP of the Republika Srpska National Assembly Nedeljko Glamočak believes that the CEC regulations leave room for manipulation and that SDS’s ability to control polling stations has been narrowed. He added that it is the CEC’s responsibility whether the repeat elections become manipulated, because SDS will not be able to have members of election boards and observers at many polling stations. Chair of the SDS Doboj City Committee, Stefan Gavrić, said he asked the Doboj electoral commission to respect the Electoral Law of BiH and to ensure that SDS has a member on every election board.