Personal tools
You are here: Home → Comparative Data → Countries → Bosnia and Herzegovina
 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Boundary Delimitation

BD01 Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
a. Yes

Comments: Yes, for the elections on Regional (Entity) and National level.
Source: Election Law, Article 20.13.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:45:40 UTC

BD02 The authority responsible for final approval of the constituency boundaries is:
f. Other

Comments: e) Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srspka. If the Entities fail to establish the constituencies, the delimitation defined in the Election Law will be in force.
Source: Election Law, Article 20.13.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:45:40 UTC

BD03 On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
g. Other

Comments: Current solution was imposed by the High Representative of the International Community in BIH by its own decision that supersedes the Election Law and is in effect until the Entity Parliaments for the constituencies on their own.
Source: Election Law of BIH, Article 20.13.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:45:40 UTC

BD04 If population is a criterion, which population figure is used?
g. Not applicable

Source: Nada Hadzimehic, Elections Adviser, OSCE Misson to BiH Elections Department, Bosnia, nadah(a)izbori.ba
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:45:40 UTC

BD05 The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
a. Legislature (specify chamber)

Comments: House of Representatives of both Entities, Federation of BIH and the Republika Srpska
Source: Election Law of BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:45:40 UTC

BD06 What statistical or other reasons trigger the redrawing of electoral constituency boundaries?
k. Boundaries redrawn every____period of years

Comments: K) Redrawn every four years for three different Houses of Representatives on state and two entity levels.
Source: Election Law, Article 9.11, 10.9 and 11.9
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:45:40 UTC

Direct Democracy

DD01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.
a. Name and Title: Scott Withrow
b. Job Title: Deputy Director, Democratisation Department
c. Organisation: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
d. Contact Address. Fra Andela Zvizodivica 1, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
e. Telephone: +387 33 752 100
f. Facsimile: +387 33 442 479
g. Email: scott.withrow@osce.org

Last updated: 2006-11-04 15:48:51 UTC

DD02 Which forms of direct democracy, if any, are currently possible at the national level? Please check the glossary for the definition of the following terms:
b. Optional referendum
c. Citizens' initiative

Comments: The level of applicability of these laws might be disputable. The laws were adopted when Bosnia and Herzegovina was a federal unit of Socialistic Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, which means that the scope and aims of referendum were adjusted to that system. However, the existing Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed as a part of the Dayton Peace Agreement, prescribes in its Annex 2, point 2 ("Continuation of Laws") that "All laws, regulations, and judicial rules of procedure in effect within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina when the Constitution enters into force shall remain in effect to the extent not inconsistent with the Constitution, until otherwise determined by a competent governmental body of Bosnia and Herzegovina". Even though these laws were created in the old, socialistic system, it does not contain any obvious and clear inconsistencies with the Constitution and therefore - they should be valid.
Source: Law on referendum in SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Off. Gazette 29/77 and 24/91; Law on Proceedings with Petitions and Proposals Off. Gazette 33/77, 12/87 and 27/90; Rules of Procedures of House of Representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:03:56 UTC

DD03 What is the legal basis for mandatory referendums at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:06:11 UTC

DD04 What is the legal basis for optional referendums at the national level?
b. Specific laws/legislation

Comments: The level of applicability of this laws might be disputable. The law was adopted when Bosnia and Herzegovina was a federal unit of Socialistic Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, which means that the scope and aims of referendum were adjusted to that system. However, the existing Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed as a part of the Dayton Peace Agreement, prescribes in its Annex 2, point 2 ("Continuation of Laws") that "All laws, regulations, and judicial rules of procedure in effect within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina when the Constitution enters into force shall remain in effect to the extent not inconsistent with the Constitution, until otherwise determined by a competent governmental body of Bosnia and Herzegovina". Even though the Law on Referendum was created in the old, socialistic system, it does not contain any obvious and clear inconsistencies with the Constitution and therefore - it should be valid.
Source: Law on referendum in SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Off. Gazette 29/77 and 24/91
Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:06:11 UTC

DD05 What is the legal basis for citizens' initiatives at the national level?
b. Specific laws/legislation

Comments: The level of applicability of this laws might be disputable. The law was adopted when Bosnia and Herzegovina was a federal unit of Socialistic Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, which means that the scope and aims of referendum were adjusted to that system. However, the existing Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed as a part of the Dayton Peace Agreement, prescribes in its Annex 2, point 2 ("Continuation of Laws") that "All laws, regulations, and judicial rules of procedure in effect within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina when the Constitution enters into force shall remain in effect to the extent not inconsistent with the Constitution, until otherwise determined by a competent governmental body of Bosnia and Herzegovina". Even though the law was created in the old, socialistic system, it does not contain any obvious and clear inconsistencies with the Constitution and therefore - it should be valid.
Source: Law on Proceedings with Petitions and Proposals Off. Gazette 33/77, 12/87 and 27/90; Rules of Procedures of House of Representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:08:56 UTC

DD06 What is the legal basis for agenda initiatives at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:14:20 UTC

DD07 What is the legal basis for recalls at the national level?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:14:20 UTC

DD17 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:16:30 UTC

DD18 Are optional referendums currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
a. Yes, in all regions/states/provinces

Source: Law on Referendum from 1993 for Republika Srpska
Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:29:21 UTC

DD20 Are agenda initiatives currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:23:59 UTC

DD21 Are recalls currently possible at first tier (regions/states/provinces, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:23:59 UTC

DD22 Are mandatory referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:23:59 UTC

DD23 Are optional referendums currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes

Source: Law on Local Self-Government
Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:14:20 UTC

DD24 Are citizens' initiatives currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
a. Yes, in all municipalities/districts/communes

Source: Law on Local Self-Government
Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:23:59 UTC

DD26 Are recalls currently possible at local (municipalities/districts/communes, etc) authority level?
c. No

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:29:21 UTC

DD27 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are mandatory at the national level?
l. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:31:19 UTC

DD28 What are the issues, if any, in relation to which referendums are optional at the national level?
a. Constitutional amendments
b. Adoption of international treaties
c. Transfer of authority to international bodies
d. National sovereignty, national self-determination
e. Conflict between constitutional organs
f. Devolution
g. Civil service
h. Taxes and public expenditure commitments
i. Other public policy issues

Source: Law on Referendum in SR Bosnia and Herzegovina
Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:31:19 UTC

DD29 Which issues, if any, are excluded from being the subject of referendums at the national level?
k. None

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:31:19 UTC

DD43 When is the outcome of a mandatory referendum binding?
d. Not applicable

Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:29:21 UTC

DD44 When is the outcome of an optional referendum binding?
a. Always

Comments: Once the legislative body reaches decision to organise a referendum, its final result is binding. Initiatives can be included in an agenda of the session of Parliamentary Committee, which will be decided by the members of that Committee (further, it can also be discussed at the plenary session of the Parliament).
Last updated: 2006-11-04 16:29:21 UTC

Electoral Management

EM01 Please provide the following contact information for the national electoral management body:
a. Name of Institution Central Election Commission of BiH
b. Full Address Mula Mustafe Baseskije 6, 71000 Sarajevo
c. Telephone + 387 33 251 300, 251 323, 251 317, 251 325
d. Facsimile + 387 33 251 329
e. Email kontakt@izbori.ba
f. Website Address www.izbori.ba
g. Name and Title of Chairperson/President Mr. Stjepan Mikic
h. Information Officer Ms. Maksida Bajramovic
i. Official language of the electoral law governing national elections Bosniac, Croat and Serb.

Source:
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:41:20 UTC

EM02 Does this national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
a. National level
b. Regional level
c. Local level

Source: Election Law, Article 2.9.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:41:20 UTC

EM03 The national electoral management body reports to:
c. The legislature

Source: Election Law, Article 2. Paragraph (9) Subparagraph 15.
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:18:03 GMT

EM04 The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
d. A national government department

Source: Election Law, Article 1. Paragraph (2)
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:18:36 GMT

EM05 The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
c. The legislature

Source: Election Law, Article 2. Paragraph (9) Subparagraph 15.
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:19:10 GMT

EM06 The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
b. For a term of _________ years

Comments: For a term of 5 years.
Source: Election Law, Article 2. Paragraph (4)
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:19:41 GMT

EM07 The national electoral management body chairperson, or equivalent, is chosen in the following way:
a. Elected (specify by whom)

Comments: The chairperson shall be elected from amongst the members of the Central Electoral Commission.
Source: Election Law, Article 2. Paragraph (6)
Last updated: Thu, 16 May 2002 12:22:12 GMT

EM08 According to official sources, what was the estimated overall cost (in US dollars if available) of the most recent national elections?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:36:10 UTC

EM09 What was the total number of registered voters or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters?
a. Total number: 2

Comments: 2.755.207 as of 15 Sep 2006
Source: Suad Salkic Election Support Unit Cabinet of the Head of Mission OSCE Mission to BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:41:20 UTC

EM10 What was the spending (in USD) per registered voter (NOT actual voters) or, where there was no voter roll, the estimated number of eligible voters at the last general elections?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:36:10 UTC

EM11 What are the approximate proportions (%) of total election expenditure for the last national elections devoted to the following?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:36:10 UTC

Electoral Systems

ES01 How is the Head of State selected?
b. Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)

Comments: The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall consist of three Members: one Bosniac and one Croat, each directly elected from the territory of the Federation, and one Serb directly elected from the territory of the Republika Srpska.
Source: Constitution, Article 5.
Last updated: 2008-03-20 14:06:11 UTC

ES02 How is the Head of Government selected?
c. Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament

Source: Constitution, Article 5. Paragraph (4)
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 16:46:19 GMT

ES03 Does the country have a president?
a. Yes

Comments: The Members of the Presidency shall appoint from their Members a Chair. For the first term of the Presidency, the Chair shall be the Member who received the highest number of votes. Thereafter, the method of selecting the Chair, by rotation or otherwise, shall be determined by the Parliamentary Assembly, subject to Article IV.3.
Source: Constitution, Article 5.
Last updated: 2008-03-20 14:06:11 UTC

ES04 The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
b. Two chambers

Source: Constitution, Article 4.
Last updated: Fri, 05 Jul 2002 08:04:50 GMT

ES05 What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
g. List Proportional Representation

Comments: The House of Representatives shall comprise 42 Members, two-thirds elected from the territory of the Federation, one-third from the territory of the Republika Srpska.
Source: Constitution, Article 4. Paragraph (2), Election Law, Article 9. Paragraph (2)-(9)
Last updated: Mon, 24 Mar 2003 14:27:32 GMT

ES11 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 1, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved for:
e. Not applicable Na

Last updated: Thu, 09 May 2002 21:39:23 GMT

ES13 If special constituencies or seats are reserved in Chamber 2, specify which interest groups, and the proportion of total seats reserved:
a. Nationality or ethnic groups - proportion of total seats (%) 33.3

Last updated: 2008-03-20 14:06:11 UTC

Legislative Framework

LF01 What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
a. Part of Constitution
b. Separate legislation

Source: Constitution of BIH, Election Law of BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:24:16 UTC

LF02 What is the date of the latest version of the national electoral law (including latest amendments)?
a. January 2000 or later

Comments: The Election Law has been published in Official Gazette on 19 September 2001. The newest amendments were adopted in April 2006.
Source: Official Gazette of BIH 11/06 and 24/06.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:28:19 UTC

LF03 The national electoral law covers:
a. National elections
b. Regional elections
c. Local elections

Comments: b) Regional elections: Partly.
Source: Election Law
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:04:24 GMT

LF04 Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
a. Voting is voluntary

Source: Constitution, Election Law
Last updated: Tue, 21 May 2002 15:45:33 GMT

LF05 Are there provisions in the law which permit or require regional and/ or local election (s) to be held on the same day as national elections?
d. National elections are held on the same day as local elections only

Source: Election Law, Article 1. Paragraph (14)
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:06:09 GMT

LF06 Are there provisions in the law which permit or require presidential election (s) to be held on the same day as national legislative elections?
b. Presidential elections are held on the same day as national legislative elections

Source: Election Law, Article 1. Paragraph (14)
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:06:49 GMT

LF07 What are the agency(ies) responsible for first level of formal electoral disputes?
b. EMB

Comments: For different types of disputes, different bodies are responsible in the first instance: Municipal Election Commission, Central Election Commission.
Source: Election Law, Article 6.4 and Article 6.6
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:25:43 UTC

LF08 If the agency(ies) which settles formal disputes is/are specially appointed/elected; by whom?
e. Electoral Management Body

Source: Election Law, Article 6. Paragraph (8)
Last updated: Thu, 16 May 2002 12:20:14 GMT

LF09 Who has the right to submit cases to the person or agency(ies)which settles formal disputes?
a. Candidates
b. Parties
c. Voters
d. Foreign/International Observers
e. Other

Source: Election Law, Article 6.2, Article 17.9
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:26:10 UTC

LF10 What body(ies) is the final appellate authority for formal electoral disputes?
c. Superior Court

Comments: Appellate Division of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Source: Election Law, Article 6. Paragraph (12)
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:15:01 GMT

LF11 Which body(ies) proposes electoral reforms?
a. Election Management Body
c. Government
e. Legislature

Comments: Election Law, Article 2.9, Point 15 and Constitution/s.
Source: Election Law, Article 2.9, Point 15 and Constitution/s.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:28:19 UTC

Media and Elections

ME01 Please provide information about the person completing the questionnaire.

Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:05:05 UTC

ME02 Which of the following types of radio stations are present at a national level in your country?
a. Publicly owned
c. Privately owned

Source: external link (link to the BIH Communications Regulatory Agency – CRA)
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:05:05 UTC

ME03 Which of the following types of television stations are present at a national level in your country?
a. Publicly owned
c. Privately owned

Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002; http://www.ejc.nl/jr/emland/bih.html#2
Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:52:40 UTC

ME04 Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers are present at a national level in your country?
c. Privately owned

Source: http://www.ejc.nl/jr/emland/bih.html#2
Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:53:40 UTC

ME05 Which of the following do you believe best describes the print media situation at the national level in your country?
d. No government newspaper: competition between two or more major private newspapers

Source: http://www.ejc.nl/jr/emland/bih.html#2
Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:54:06 UTC

ME06 What proportion of the population can receive transmissions of the national level programming of private radio stations?
a. Over 60%

Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:54:17 UTC

ME08 What proportion of the population can receive transmissions of the national level programming of private television stations?
a. Over 60%

Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:54:26 UTC

ME09 In your opinion, which of the following types of media in your country have a public reputation for being independent?
b. Private radio
d. Private television
e. Print media

Source: http://www.ejc.nl/jr/emland/bih.html#2
Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:54:47 UTC

ME11 What laws, if any, guarantee freedom of access to public information for representatives of the media?
a. L

Comments: Law on free access to information in BIH, Law on free access to information in the Federation of BIH and Law on free access to information in the Republika Srpska.
Source: Suad Salkic Election Support Unit Cabinet of the Head of Mission OSCE Mission to BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME13 What are the laws, if any, which govern the operations of the public broadcaster? Specify the date of the latest version (including latest amendments)
a. L

Comments: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002.
Source: http://www.ejc.nl/jr/emland/bih.html#2
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:05:05 UTC

ME14 What proportion of the population can receive transmissions of the national level programming of the public television stations?
a. Over 60%

Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:57:52 UTC

ME15 What proportion of the population can receive transmissions of the national level programming of the national level programming of the public radio stations?
a. Over 60 %

Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:58:00 UTC

ME16 In your opinion, upon which types of media at national level in your country do citizens most rely as a source of information? Mark the most important source with 1, and the second most important source with 2:
c. Private radio
f. Private television
g. Print media

Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:58:16 UTC

ME17 In your opinion, which of the following types of media in your country have a public reputation for being independent?
b. Private radio
d. Private television
e. Print media

Last updated: 2005-03-29 13:58:39 UTC

ME18 What are the laws, if any, that provide for the safeguards for editorial autonomy in relation to the public broadcaster(s)?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:05:05 UTC

ME19 What are the laws, if any, which govern the granting of broadcasting licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
a. L

Comments: Law on Communications in BIH, 2004 – Implementer is the Communications Regulatory Agency – CRA http://www.cra.ba/
Source: Suad Salkic Election Support Unit Cabinet of the Head of Mission OSCE Mission to BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME20 Who grants licenses/frequencies to private broadcasters?
b. Independent regulator

Comments: b. Independent regulator http://www.cra.ba/
Source: Suad Salkic Election Support Unit Cabinet of the Head of Mission OSCE Mission to BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME21 Who is allowed to hold broadcasting licenses?
b. Private companies
f. State owned companies

Comments: Any natural or legal person.
Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:03:29 UTC

ME22 What are the legal conditions, if any, under which the activities of a media outlet may be suspended?
a. a

Comments: No provisions for such end.
Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:04:33 UTC

ME23 Are any journalists currently imprisoned or facing criminal charges for exercising their profession?
b. No

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:04:44 UTC

ME24 What legal instruments are used to regulate media coverage of elections?
a. Law

Source: Election Law of BIH, Chapter 16
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:09:05 UTC

ME25 Which of the following bodies or agencies has a responsibility in the regulation of media coverage of elections?
a. Statutory regulator (e.g. broadcasting licensing body)
b. Voluntary regulator (e.g. media council, journalists' ethics committee)
d. Legislature
e. Judiciary
g. EMB by law or regulations
h. EMB by custom and practise

Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002; Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:07:17 UTC

ME26 What form does the responsibility, if any, of the EMB to regulate media coverage of elections take?
b. Requiring balance in media news coverage of an election

Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002; Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:08:36 UTC

ME27 Does the EMB monitor media coverage of elections?
a. Yes

Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002; Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:08:52 UTC

ME28 What form does the authority, if any, of the EMB to enforce remedies or sanctions against the media in case of breach of the rules on media coverage of elections take?
a. Enforcement of a right of reply, correction or retraction
b. Administrative penalty

Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002; Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:09:08 UTC

ME29 Do political parties or candidates have a right to have their replies to inaccurate or misleading media coverage published promptly and free of charge?
a. Yes

Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002; Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:20:03 UTC

ME30 What is the legal liability of the media if they report unlawful statements by candidates during election campaigns (e.g. defamatory or inflammatory speeches)?
a. Criminal prosecution
b. Administrative sanction

Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002; Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:20:18 UTC

ME31 Have the media or journalists' organisations adopted a code of ethics specific to elections? Please send us a copy.
a. Yes

Comments: Comment: Code of Ethics adopted by the Printed Media Council in 1999 and Broadcasting Code of Practice Amended and cleared text
Source: http://www.fpn.unsa.ba/fpn/images/stories/dokumenta/Kodeks za stampu.doc http://www.rak.ba/en/legal/rules-codes/broadcast/codes/default.aspx?cid=3132
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME33 Which body, if any, is responsible for regulating free or paid access of political parties or candidates to the media during election campaigns.
a. EMB

Source: Law on the Basis of the Public Broadcasting System and on the Public Broadcasting Service of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002; Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:21:12 UTC

ME34 Which of the following types of radio stations provide political parties with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, article 16 paragraph (2).
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:23:56 UTC

ME35 Which of the following types of television stations provide political parties with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 16 paragraph (2).
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:24:57 UTC

ME36 Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers provide political parties with free printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
e. None

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:25:44 UTC

ME37 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
a. Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:26:41 UTC

ME38 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
a. Amount (Euros) 0,5 euro per registered voter.

Comments: Amount (Euros) 0,10 to 0,15 Euro per registered voter. Comment: Exact amount depends on the level
Source: Election Law of BiH, Chapter 16.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME39 Which of the following types of radio stations provide individual candidates (legislative) with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, article 16 paragraph (2).
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:29:40 UTC

ME40 Which of the following types of television stations provide individual candidates (legislative) with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, article 16 paragraph (2).
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:30:37 UTC

ME41 Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspaper provide individual candidates (legislative) with free printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
e. None

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:30:53 UTC

ME42 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to individual candidates (legislative)?
a. Equal regardless of size and previous performance

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:31:11 UTC

ME43 Which of the following types of radio stations provide individual candidates (legislative) with paid broadcast time for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned
b. Government owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, Chapter 16
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:12:28 UTC

ME44 Which of the following types of television stations provide individual candidates (legislative) with paid broadcast time and/or paid printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned
b. Government owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, Chapter 16
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:12:28 UTC

ME45 Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers provide individual candidates (legislative) with printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
c. Privately owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:33:34 UTC

ME46 What are the criteria for allocating paid broadcast time and/or paid printed advertisement space to individual candidates (legislative)?
g. Not regulated: based only on the amount the candidate wishes to spend

Source: Election Law of BIH, Chapter 16
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME47 Which of the following types of radio stations provide presidential candidates with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 16 paragraph (2).
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:37:13 UTC

ME48 Which of the following types of television stations provide presidential candidates with free broadcast time for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 16 paragraph (2).
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:37:26 UTC

ME49 Which of the following daily and weekly newspapers provide presidential candidates with free printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
e. None

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:37:52 UTC

ME50 What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to presidential candidates?
a. Equal regardless of size and previous performance of candidate’s party

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 16 paragraph (2).
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:38:07 UTC

ME51 Which of the following types of radio stations provide presidential candidates with paid broadcast time for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned
b. Government owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, Chapter 16.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:12:28 UTC

ME52 Which of the following types of television stations provide presidential candidates with paid broadcast for national election campaigns?
a. Publicly owned
b. Government owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, Chapter 16.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:12:28 UTC

ME53 Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers provide presidential candidates with paid printed advertisement space for national election campaigns?
c. Privately owned

Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 15-16.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:38:59 UTC

ME54 What are the criteria for allocating paid broadcast time and/or paid printed advertisement space to presidential candidates?
g. Not regulated: based only on the amount the candidate wishes to spend

Source: Election Law of BiH, Chapter 16.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:12:28 UTC

ME55 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a presidential candidate is permitted to spend on paid advertising?
a. ……………… (euros) 0.15 euro per registered voter

Comments: 0.15 euro per registered voter
Source: Election Law of BiH, Article 15.10.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME56 What are the laws, if any, which govern the disclosure of campaign advertising expenditures by political parties and candidates?
a. ....... Election Law of BiH and Law on Political Party Financing

Comments: a) Election Law of BiH and Law on Political Party Financing
Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001 incl. amendments April 2006, Chapter 15.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME57 What, if any, is the maximum amount that a media outlet can charge parties/candidates for advertising during the campaign?
b. The law does not specify any limits b:

Comments: The same amount as for any other regular advertising for regular clients.
Source: Election Law of BIH, Article 16.12.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME58 How does this maximum amount (identified in question C.15.1) affect the political participation of smaller or newly formed parties?
b. None b:

Comments: Not applicable
Source: Suad Salkic Election Support Unit Cabinet of the Head of Mission OSCE Mission to BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME59 Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
a. Yes, in presidential elections
b. Yes, in legislative elections

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:42:24 UTC

ME60 What legal requirements, if any, regulate the participation of candidates or party representatives in media debates?

Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:05:05 UTC

ME61 Which of the following information in reporting the results of opinion polls are required to be disclosed by law?
g. None

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:43:15 UTC

ME62 What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
b. 2-3 days

Comments: 72 hours.
Source: Election Law of BiH, 2001, Chapter 16 paragraph (6).
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:44:00 UTC

ME63 Where, if at all, may exit polls be carried out?
f. Not applicable

Comments: No rules on this issue.
Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:44:45 UTC

ME64 If exit polls are permitted, when can the results be disseminated via the media?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:45:08 UTC

ME65 When are the media, by law, allowed to report preliminary election results?
b. After all polls close, before official results are available

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:45:24 UTC

ME66 Are the media allowed to project/predict winners before the final results are available?
a. Yes

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:45:39 UTC

ME67 What resources does the EMB have for its work with the media?
b. A press officer

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:46:04 UTC

ME68 Have staff responsible for media relations received training for this work?
a. Yes

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:46:29 UTC

ME69 Which of the following has the EMB produced or organised?
b. Press releases
c. Press conferences/briefings
e. Web site

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:46:45 UTC

ME70 Has the EMB provided or facilitated training for journalists in how the electoral process works?
b. No

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:46:57 UTC

ME71 Which of the following types of radio stations, provide free broadcast time to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
a. Publicly owned

Source: Election Law of BIH, Article 16.9
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:15:31 UTC

ME72 Which of the following television stations provide free broadcast time to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
e. None

Source: Election Law of BIH, Article 16.9
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME73 Which of the following daily and weekly newspapers provide free print space to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
e. None

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:47:52 UTC

ME74 Which of the following types of radio stations provide paid broadcast time to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
c. Privately owned

Source: Suad Salkic Election Support Unit Cabinet of the Head of Mission OSCE Mission to BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME75 Which of the following types of television stations provide paid broadcast time to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
c. Privately owned

Source: Suad Salkic Election Support Unit Cabinet of the Head of Mission OSCE Mission to BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME76 Which of the following types of daily and weekly newspapers provide paid broadcast time or print space to the EMB for voter information campaigns?
c. Privately owned

Source: Suad Salkic Election Support Unit Cabinet of the Head of Mission OSCE Mission to BIH
Last updated: 2006-12-11 13:19:53 UTC

ME77 What steps does the EMB take to make sure that it is communicating its message to the media?
a. It consults the media about the usefulness of materials provided to them by the EMB.
d. It monitors the media coverage of its own activities.

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:48:58 UTC

ME78 Which of the following do you judge to be significant barriers to the EMB in communicating its message to the media?
c. Cost of paid advertising limiting dissemination of voter education messages

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:49:17 UTC

ME79 Overall, how effective do you judge the EMB’s ability to communicate through the media during election campaigns to be?
b. Quite effective

Last updated: 2005-03-29 14:49:30 UTC

Parties and Candidates

PC01 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Signature requirement (specify requirement)
b. Deposit requirement (specify amount)
f. Other

Comments: a) different number of signatures for different levels b) different amount for different levels f) Signed statement that the party will abide by the GFAP in BiH, and the Elec-tion Law. GFAP is The General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Initiated in Dayton on 21 November 1995 and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995).
Source: Election Law, Chapter 4.4, 4.8 and 4.16.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC

PC02 What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 2)?
g. Not applicable

Source: Nada Hadzimehic, Elections Adviser, OSCE Misson to BiH Elections Department, Bosnia, nadah(a)izbori.ba
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC

PC03 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
f. Registration

Comments: a: 18 years.
Source: Election Law, Article 1. Paragraph (4), Election Law, Article 4. Paragraph (1)-(11)
Last updated: Tue, 21 May 2002 15:52:38 GMT

PC04 What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 2)?
k. Not applicable

Source: Nada Hadzimehic, Elections Adviser, OSCE Misson to BiH Elections Department, Bosnia, nadah(a)izbori.ba
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC

PC05 What are the legal qualifications for becoming a candidate at presidential elections?
a. Age
b. Citizenship
f. Registration
g. Nationality group
j. Other

Comments: a) 18 years. j) The head of the state is a presidential committee involving one representative of each 'Constituent People'.
Source: Election Law, Article 1. Paragraph (4), Election Law, Article 4. Paragraphs (1)-(11), Article 8. Paragraph (1)
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC

PC06 What can disqualify a candidate at legislative elections?
e. Offences against electoral law
f. Holding of military office
g. Holding of government office
k. Mental health problems
l. Multiple Citizenship
n. Holding of other public offices (police etc.)
o. Other

Comments: l: Only if Bosnia and Herzegovina is not the country of his/her permanent address. n: War criminals.
Source: Election Law, Article 1. Paragraph (4)-(8), Election Law, Article 18. Paragraph (8)-(9)
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC

PC07 What can disqualify a candidate at presidential elections?
e. Offences against electoral law
f. Holding of military office
g. Holding of government office
k. Mental health problems
l. Multiple Citizenship
n. Holding of other public offices (police etc.)
p. Other

Comments: l: Only if Bosnia and Herzegovina is not the country of his/her permanent address. n: War criminals.
Source: Election Law, Article 1. Paragraph (4)-(8), Article 8. Paragraph (1), Article 18. Paragraph (8)-(9)
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC

PC08 Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
e. In both presidential and legislative elections

Source: Election Law, Article 4. Paragraph (8)
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:50:30 GMT

PC09 If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 1), what are the registration requirements?
a. Signature requirement (specify)
b. Deposit requirement (specify)
d. Other

Comments: a: 1500. b: 2500 USD. d: Signed statement that the party will abide by the GFAP - the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina - (initialled in Dayton on 21 November 1995 and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995)in BiH, and the Election Law.
Source: Election Law, Article 4. Paragraph (8)
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC

PC10 If independent candidates can compete in legislative elections (Chamber 2), what are the registration requirements?
e. Not applicable

Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 17:53:57 GMT

PC11 If independent candidates can compete in presidential elections, what are the registration requirements?
a. Signature requirement (specify)
b. Deposit requirement (specify)
d. Other

Comments: a: 1500. b: 2500. d: Signed statement that the party will abide by the GFAD - the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina - (Initialled in Dayton on 21 November 1995 and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). in BiH, and the Election Law.
Source: Election Law, Article 4. Paragraph (8)
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC

PC12 Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
b. Direct
c. Indirect

Source: Election Law, Article 14-15.
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 19:12:53 GMT

PC13 If political parties receive direct/indirect public funding, when do they receive this?
c. As related to the election period and between elections

Source: Law on Political Party Financing, BIH Official Gazette no. 22/00.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC

PC14 If political parties receive indirect public funding, identify the type of funding:
a. Free media access

Source: Election Law, Article 15.
Last updated: Tue, 07 May 2002 19:14:09 GMT

PC15 What is the basis of the public funding?
a. Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance
b. Based on result of previous election

Comments: a: media access. b: financial funging
Source: Election Law, Article 14-15.
Last updated: 2006-12-11 12:51:01 UTC