CVIJANOVIĆ: TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS MUST NOT UNDERMINE BASIC ELECTION PRINCIPLES

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 16 /SRNA/ - Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović said that she supports the modernization of the electoral process, but that technological solutions must not undermine the basic principles of elections, above all ballot secrecy, the possibility of verifying the electoral process and protection of the freely expressed will of voters.

During a meeting with Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights /ODIHR/ Tana de Zulueta, Cvijanović stressed that technological solutions cannot be an end in themselves. She also pointed to serious concerns regarding the manner and timing of introducing new technologies into the electoral process, particularly given that their implementation is being introduced in an election year, when the electoral process is already underway, raising questions about legality, transparency, the preparedness of the election administration and protection of ballot secrecy. She stressed that the primary goal must remain a transparent, fair and credible electoral process, conducted fully in accordance with the law, in which ballot secrecy and the democratic will of voters are fully protected, the BiH Presidency said in a statement. Cvijanović and de Zulueta exchanged views on the current political situation in BiH and the electoral process.