The 1997 Municipal Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1998 An Analysis of the Observations

On 13 and 14 September 1997, municipal elections took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This book extensively covers the findings of the 363 international observers on both polling days. Were the elections `free and fair'? What did the observers record about the circumstances, procedures and security measurements at the polling stations? Which parties observed the elections, and why? How did the election process and the vote count compare to the 1996 elections?
This book provides a regional profile and outlines specific problems in the various types of polling stations. The observation methodology and design of the observation reports are discussed. Finally, recommendations are made for the upcoming 1998 election observations, and future missions. The book should be of interest to students, scholars and others working in the fields of observation and analysis of elections, ethnic conflicts in the Balkans, and the role of international organisations in democratisation and peace processes.

1 Introduction.- 2 Backgrounds of the elections.- Towards the municipal elections.- The 1996 elections.- Registration.- Municipal elections.- 3 Observation methodology.- Deployment plan.- Observers: who, where and when.- Data processing and analysing.- The design of the questionnaire.- 4 The observation of the vote.- Overall opinion and observed problems and irregularities.- Voters and Polling Station Committee.- People present, party representatives, security measures and disruptions.- Regular, absentee, cross-municipality and return from out-of-country polling stations.- 5 Observers’comments.- Number of comments.- Observers’ comments, 1996 and 1997.- Categories: examples of comments.- 6 Relationships.- General assessment.- Other overall opinions.- Types of polling stations.- 7 The regional profile.- Overall opinions.- Specific problems and irregularities.- Registration.- People present, party representatives, security measures and disruptions.- Representatives of parties and coalitions.- Observers’ comments.- 8 The observation of the counting of the votes.- Overall opinions.- Duration of vote count.- Preparations for the count.- The count of the ballots.- The count of the invalid ballots.- Packing materials at the polling station.- People present and reported irregularities.- 9 Conclusions and recommendations.- References.- Annex 1 The Dayton Agreement (Annex 3).- Annex 2 The OSCE/ODIHR statements.- Annex 3 Parties, coalitions and independent candidates in 1996.- Annex 4 Outcomes of the 1996 elections.- Annex 5 Parties and coalitions in 1997.- Annex 6 Outcomes of the 1997 municipal elections (distribution of seats).- Annex 7 Report on Observation of Voting.- Annex 8 Report on Observation of Counting.- Annex 9 Report on the Opening and Closing of PollingStations.- Annex 10 Observers’ Comments by region.- Annex 11 Observations by municipalities in 1997.