In 2002, the government of BiH organized elections without international supervision for the first time since the Dayton agreement. The Election Commission of BiH appointed new municipal election commissions, 60% of whose members had no prior experience with their duties. These facts illustrated the seriousness of the challenge that lied ahead and the need for MEC members to be adequately educated and informed.

During 2002, the Association of Election Officials in BiH (AEOBIH) conducted roundtable meetings with MEC members in the field. AEOBiH has divided the country into 16 regions and appointed two of its members in each region to organize monthly roundtables covering various elections-related topics important to MECs.

The first roundtables, held in each region in March 2002, focused on “MEC Education on the BiH Election Law.” Topics included the BiH Election Law, roles and responsibilities of MECs, voter registration and registration of candidates.

The second roundtables, held in April 2002, focused on voter registration. MEC members discussed the procedures for registration of voters, publication of preliminary voter registers, and allocation of polling stations for the October elections. Activities regarding the AEOBIH voters registration and re-registration project were also discussed.

MEC members were surveyed at the March and April roundtables to determine their current financial status, suggestions for future roundtable topics, and status on the work of the voter registration centers. The results of the surveys were forwarded to the ECBiH Secretariat.

The third round tables were held in May and included instruction for preliminary allocation of settlements and allocation of polling stations, problem of voters with unassigned polling stations, instruction for implementation of the provision of Article 19.8, paragraph 3 of the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Code of Conduct of election officials.

A Conference for Municipal Election Commissions was held on June 28 and 29 in Teslić, and therefore round tables were not organized in sections for the month of June. The Conference gathered 150 Municipal Election Commissions and AEOBiH members who used this opportunity to discuss open issues regarding organization and implementation of the General Elections scheduled to take place on October 5, 2002.

This activity was continued in July when topics for the round table were conclusions from the AEOBiH Conference for Municipal Election Commissions, instruction on accreditation procedures for election observers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, rules on media representation of political subjects during the election period and procedural instruction concerning challenges submitted to MECs and ECBiH. We also discussed the forthcoming AEOBiH polling station committee training program and results of the AEOBiH voters’ registration and re-registration project.

The August roundtable was dedicated to the training of Municipal Election Commissions about Polling Station Committee training. The training included theoretical and practical part, which was led by 33 AEOBiH trainers who will help MEC members to conduct PSC training in the field.

The roundtables held in September focused on distribution of mandates. Trained trainers were lecturers and Mr. Željo Bošnjak prepared concept of lectures. Representatives of non-governmental organizations and political parties were also invited to this round table.

The last round table was held after General Elections, which were held on October 5, 2002, in order to exchange experiences of MECs regarding the Election Day. MECs evaluated their engagement in a positive way and concluded that the AEOBiH activity also contributed to that.

This project has given AEOBIH the opportunity to introduce its activities and educational programs to the new MEC members, who are the essential actors in the election process. As a result, many MEC members have decided to join the AEOBiH, and many expressed interest in taking the AEOBiH Election Course. Conclusions from each round table along with questions and suggestions from MEC members were forwarded to the Election Commission of BiH for their attention.

This project has contributed to good preparation of MECs for General Elections in 2002. Thanks to the roundtables MEC members became more aware of their obligations and responsibilities in the election process. The roundtables also provided MECs with an opportunity to network and learn by sharing experiences with each other.