BOSNIAN CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION, OSCE AND OHR SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (March 14,2008) – The Bosnian Central Election Commission President Suad Arnautovic, the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia Miroslav Lajcak and Head of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Bosnia Ambassador Douglas Davidson signed in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo a Memorandum of Understanding which will guarantee that the OHR and OSCE continue ensuring two advisors each to the Bosnian Central Election Commission, for the purpose of offering legal and expert assistance.

Suad Arnautovic, President of Bosnian Central Election Commission, emphasized that the advisors will be experts which will be nominated by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and the Office of the International Community's High Representative in Bosnia (OHR). They will offer expert and legal advice as well as assistance to the Bosnian Central Election Commission Secretariat in the process of electoral laws’ implementation.

Arnautovic stated that the Memorandum signed is valid for the period of one year. It can be terminated earlier, if all the conditions are fulfilled.

He especially emphasized that the activities of the Bosnian Central Election Commission will be completely independent, as proscribed by the law.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia Ambassador Douglas Davidson is of the opinion that one of the issues everybody can be proud of is the achievements made by the Bosnian Central Election Commission.

Ambassador Davidson is of the opinion that the Commission, in the process of implementation of the three electoral cycles, has proven no to be in need for any kind of assistance, previously provided by the International Community. However, he expressed pleasure over the fact that the Bosnian Central Election Commission called the OSCE to continue providing advisory assistance in the year to come, for OSCE can share the experience of other countries in Bosnia.

OHR is ready to offer support and expert advice but, Lajcak stated that it is extremely important that the full responsibility for the elections process lies in the hands of the domestic authorities from the year of 2005. In that sense, he emphasized the efforts made by the Bosnian Central Election Commission officials, who have shown a high level of professionalism.
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