Head of the EU Delegation/EUSR Ambassador Luigi Soreca visits polling stations and the ‘Pod lupom’ Call Centre

The Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative to BiH, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, visited polling stations in Hrastovi near Kiseljak, Ilidža, and Istočna Ilidža to observe the election process, as well as the Call Centre of the election observation coalition ‘Pod lupom’.

Speaking to the media at the Call Centre, Ambassador Soreca emphasised that the real protagonists of the day are BiH’s citizens, urging everyone to turn out and exercise their right to vote. He noted that the primary novelty of this election is the trial of new technologies, adding that he witnessed voters of all generations showing great curiosity and enthusiasm to take part in the process. 

Ambassador Soreca expressed his gratitude to ‘Pod lupom’ for their dedication to electoral integrity and underscored the essential role civil society plays in democratic life. He commended the Central Election Commission for its resilience and diligence in organising the elections, and also thanked the media for the role they play in ensuring accountability. 

Read the full statement below: 

Dobar dan svima! Happy to be here at the Pod Lupom observation centre. I'm just coming from the ground where I was in a rural part north of Kiseljak, where I saw the first use of new technologies. I was also in Ilidža in a big school with several polling stations. 

Now I'm continuing my observation. We will go to Istočno Sarajevo. My first my first feeling is that the people at the polls are satisfied to be part of a new process. The new technology is clearly the big novelty of this election, and I see both old and young people curious to participate to this new democratic process.

We are, of course, following the rest of the country, thanks also to Pod lupom. The turnout is more or less similar than in the last election, which means that people are really eager to participate in this process. I would like to thank Pod lupom for the excellent work they have been doing. We have been supporting them for the work they do on electoral integrity, voter education, electoral participation. Civil society has a very important role to play.

Let me also commend the work of the Central Electoral Commission for their resilience, for their diligence in their work. They went through some challenges, but I'm hopeful and confident that today will go in the right direction. We are halfway now in the election day, and I'm very confident that things will go in the right direction.

Thanks also to you, the media, because I saw that you are following very closely today's election, and the role of media in in election and generally in the democratic process is so important. To keep the authorities accountable. So, thank you very much for the work you are doing today as well.

The focus, of course, is on the new technologies, but let's not forget the real protagonists of today: the citizens, the BiH citizens that have the moment to express their rights. So, my message is to the citizens of BiH: there is still half a day ahead. Go out, cast your vote, make your voice heard. This is the moment not to be silent. It's the moment to speak and to vote so that to contribute to choose who are going to decide on your future.

The European Union is here to support the future of this country, as we support those 75% of people [who support EU accession], and all the people of this country, for what they believe that their future should be. And the European Union is to support their dreams and their aspirations. 

So now, let's go back to work, observation, to use my card [shows the official observer’s card] and make sure that we continue to see how this important election will go. Once again, thank you very much for having me today.