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Handbook on the Dayton Peace Agreement
PC-1510-100-96
February 1996
Annex 3
Agreement on Elections
Annex 3 is the Agreement on Elections. The parties are the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Republika Srpska.
Summary of Main Points
The parties will ensure that social conditions exist for the organization of free and fair elections, such as a politically neutral environment; protection and enforcement of the right to secret vote without fear or intimidation; freedom of expression; and freedom of the press, association, and movement. If necessary, the parties will seek assistance from the OSCE.
The OSCE is asked to form a Provisional Election Commission (PEC) to adopt and supervise an election plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The elections will be for:
- The House of Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The House of Representatives of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- The National Assembly of the Republika Srpska.
- The Presidency of the Republika Srpska.
- Possibly the cantonal legislatures and municipal authorities.
The PEC will establish rules and regulations for voting that supersede the parties' own laws and regulations. Any citizen age 18 or older whose name appears on the 1991 Bosnia and Herzegovina census will be eligible to vote. Citizens will be expected to vote in person or by absentee ballot in the municipalities in which they resided in 1991. However, citizens may appeal to the PEC to cast their ballots elsewhere. Voting is regarded as confirmation of an individual's intention to return to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and refugees may vote by absentee ballot.
Upon the Agreement Entering Into Force
- OSCE establishes a Provisional Election Commission (PEC).
Within 6 Months (14 June)
- Elections are held unless the OSCE determines a delay is necessary, in which case elections should be held no later than 9 months (September 14) after entry into force.
UNCLASSIFIED
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