ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE CITIZENS' ELECTORAL WILL THROUGH NEW TECHNOLOGIES

SARAJEVO, MARCH 19 /SRNA/ - Sanja Vulić, Head of the SNSD Caucus in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, told SRNA that by selecting a supplier for electoral process equipment, the Central Election Commission /CEC/ of BiH is confirming an intention to attempt to manipulate citizens’ electoral will and weaken Republika Srpska. Vulić said that the introduction of the company Smartmatic BiH is not a coincidence, but part of a pre-planned scenario carried out under the influence of Christian Schmidt. "The latest move by the CEC, under the leadership of Vanja Bjelica-Prutina, leaves no room for illusions. This is not a technical reform, but an open political attack on the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, Milorad Dodik, and an attempt to remove him from the political scene," Vulić said. She emphasized that those behind the selection of the supplier underestimate the political awareness and determination of the people in Republika Srpska. "What they call modernization is nothing other than an attempt at political disciplining and weakening of Srpska," Vulić said. She stated that Republika Srpska is not a project that can be abolished through decrees and manipulation. "Its strength lies in the people, and that strength cannot be nullified by administrative tricks. Republika Srpska will remain, regardless of all attempts to weaken or bypass it," Vulić concluded. The consortium led by the company Smartmatic BiH from Sarajevo was awarded a contract by the Central Election Commission of BiH today for the procurement of equipment for the biometric identification of voters and scanning of ballots, worth BAM 74.5 million excluding VAT.