CEC: ZERO TOLERANCE TOWARDS HATE SPEECH

SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 27 (ONASA) – The Central Election Commission of BiH reminds once again that candidates and supporters of political parties, lists of independent candidates, lists of members of national minorities and coalitions, as well as independent candidates and their supporters, as well as employees or otherwise engaged in the election administration are not allowed to:
1) carry and show weapons at political gatherings, polling stations and their surroundings, as well as during gatherings related to the activities of political parties, coalitions, lists of independent candidates and independent candidates in the election process;
2) disrupt the gatherings of other political parties, coalitions and independent candidates, as well as encourage others to engage in such activities;
3) prevent journalists from performing their work in accordance with the rules of the profession and election rules;
4) promise monetary rewards or other material benefits with the aim of gaining voter support or threatening supporters of other political parties, coalitions, lists of independent candidates and independent candidates;
5) encourage a person who does not have the right to vote to vote;
6) encourage persons to vote more than once in the same elections, or to vote on behalf of another person; or
7) use hate speech, and/or publish or use images, symbols, audio and video recordings, SMS messages, internet communications, social networks and mobile applications or other materials that can act in this way.
8) abuse a child for political purposes.
The individual prohibitions that we list refer not only to the election campaign period, but to the entire election period, such as “hate speech”, to which we draw special attention.
According to the definition from the BiH Election Law, “Hate Speech” is any form of public expression or speech that causes or incites hatred, discrimination or violence against any person or group of persons, based on race, color, nationality, gender or religion, ethnic origin or any other personal characteristics or orientations that encourage discrimination, hostility and violence.
The BiH Central Election Commission has the authority to impose fines of up to 30,000 KM, but it certainly also has the authority to remove a candidate’s name from the candidate list, as well as to cancel the certification of participation in the elections of a political entity.
Which of the above sanctions will be imposed depends on the severity of the committed offense as well as the frequency. (end)