Security Challenges in Organizing and Conducting Local Elections 2020 in the Condition of the Pandemic Virus COVID-19

Abstract

In democracy-oriented countries, organizing and conducting elections is a complex process that involves the active participation of a huge number of stakeholders. It is very important to realize an active and passive suffrage of every citizen in B&H. In order to organize this process in accordance with legal regulations, it is necessary to ensure the participation of as many citizens as possible. A lot of stakeholeders are involved in this process: voters, election observers, election administration, media and other stakeholders. In November 2020, local elections were organized in B&H. Citizens had the opportunity to elect mayors and members of municipality/city councils. The complex election process itself is further complicated by the fact that it was organized and conducted when B&H faced a pandemic caused by the virus COVID-19. The Central Election Commission of B&H as the main institution when it comes to prescribing recommendations, but also conducting elections, as well as before local election administrations there are a lot of security questions and challenges. It was necessary to answer how to organize and conduct local elections in accordance with law regulations, but not to endanger the health and lives of B&H citizens.