DODIK: ELECTIONS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO DEFEAT SCHMIDT

LAKTAŠI, NOVEMBER 23 /SRNA/ – SNSD leader Milorad Dodik has stated today in Laktaši that the snap presidential elections in Republika Srpska were organized by Bosnian Muslims and Christian Schmidt in order to defeat Republika Srpska, but that the elections are an opportunity for the people to defeat them instead.

Dodik is convinced that the citizens of Republika Srpska understand these efforts and that, in the previous period, a politically staged process was evident and resulted in these elections.

"We are witnessing a shameful attempt and a camouflage by Schmidt, who is presenting himself as some sort of diplomat so he can visit polling stations in an effort to proclaim his supposed victory", Dodik told the press after voting in Laktaši.

Dodik called on the people of Republika Srpska to remain calm and stable, stressing that Republika Srpska is above everything else, that it will continue to develop on the basis of the democratic right of the people to elect and to remain sovereign in doing so.

According to him, the people of Republika Srpska have a strong democratic tradition and will not abandon their way of life.

"All attempts have been aimed at dismantling the system of Republika Srpska, creating chaos, and humiliating it. All efforts by the CEC, the shameful attempts by the Court, have led to this day in which the people demonstrate their dignity", Dodik said.

Snap presidential elections were held today in Republika Srpska, where 1,264,364 voters were eligible to vote.