01/16/2006 OHR Sarajevo

Statement: OHR Looks to Cantonal Assemblies to Respect the Law and Accept Resignations

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The OHR asked for the dismissal of the Prime Minister of Bosna-Podrinje canton and the Prime Minister of Zenica-Doboj canton because the Assemblies of both cantons refused to dismiss the Prime Ministers despite having been told by the Election Commission that they were ineligible to hold their posts.

In September 2005, the Election Commission issued information stating that both Prime Ministers were violating a key provision of the Election Law of BiH. According to Article 20.9A, paragraph 2 of the Election Law of BiH, neither Prime Minister should have appeared on the election lists because both had been sanctioned by the provisional election commission.

As a result, the Election Commission recommended that both Prime Ministers be dismissed from their posts.

In asking for the dismissal of both Prime Ministers, the OHR was therefore making sure that the provisions of the current Election Law are fully respected.

The OHR now looks towards both SDA dominated Cantonal Assemblies to accept the resignations of their Prime Ministers.