Venice Commission yet to comment on Election Law issue

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The Venice Commission has not expressed its stance on the necessary changes to Bosnia's Election Law after attending a Thursday meeting where representatives of political parties discussed the issue.

The Venice Commission Delegation came to help political leaders in Bosnia in finding an agreement on the burning issue of the changes Bosnia has to make to the Law in order for it to be in accordance with the country's Constitution.

Two years ago the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina ruled that some provisions of the Election Law were inconsistent with the state Constitution and subsequently deleted two sections of the Law which treat the matter of representation in the House of Peoples of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the semi-autonomous entity shared by Bosniaks and Bosnian Croats.

Since then, Bosnia's political leaders have failed to act in the legally allowed time frame to change the Law. Talks on the issue have been in deadlock for some time, despite mediation by international representatives present in the country.

Since the Central Election Commission has already announced the general election for October, and since the issue remaining unresolved leaves it unclear how the results of that election should be implemented, political leaders have asked the Venice Commission to get involved in the negotiations and express their stance on the issue.

According to lawmaker Sefik Dzaferovic, who is one of those negotiating on behalf of the main Bosniak political party in the country, the Party for Democratic Action (SDA), the parties involved in the negotiations have stated their position on the issue at the Tuesday meeting, but the Venice Commission is yet to do so.

The Venice Commission delegation will on Wednesday meet with Central Election Commission President, Irena Hadziabdic, and individually with all the political parties involved.

The next day, the Venice Commission is to meet with the political parties again, as well as Constitutional Court Secretary, Zvonko Mijan.