CEC IS ALTERING PEOPLE'S WILL, SRPSKA WILL ENSURE THAT PEOPLE PREVAIL

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 6 /SRNA/ – Head of the SNSD Caucus in the Republika Srpska National Assembly Srđan Mazalica told SRNA that the Central Election Commission /CEC/ of BiH has once again overstepped its constitutional and legal terms, transforming itself from an election organiser into a body that reshapes institutional frameworks and the will of the BiH citizens.

"The first case was when the CEC revoked the SNSD's fourth deputy and interfered in the exclusive jurisdiction of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, and now it's the revocation of the presidential office from the president of Republika Srpska, who was elected with over 300,000 votes," Mazalica said.

He pointed out that the CEC, whose office had expired, but was extended until 2027 by Christian Schmidt's decision, has blatantly violated the will of the people based on a court ruling grounded in laws imposed by the very same Schmidt, who had no right or legitimacy to make any decisions, including the afore-mentioned ones.

"Unfortunately, that so-called Commission includes two members from Republika Srpska who should be defending the institutions of the entity they come from. Instead, they’ve shown bias against the ruling parties in Srpska and were selected from SDS and PDP structures. Republika Srpska must ensure that the will of the people ultimately prevails over Schmidt, the CEC of BiH, and all those who are weakening the defence of our institutions and competences from attacks by Sarajevo’s deep state and certain embassies," Mazalica stated.

The Central Election Commission of BiH today issued a decision terminating the presidential office of Milorad Dodik as President of Republika Srpska, who was elected in the 2022 general elections. The decision is subject to appeal.

CEC's decision followed the ruling of the Appellate Division of the Court of BiH, which upheld an earlier first-instance judgment sentencing President Dodik to one year in prison and six years of a ban on political activity for "non-compliance with the decisions of Christian Schmidt".