CEC IS VIOLATING PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION LAW

SARAJEVO, DECEMBER 3 /SRNA/ – The head of the SNSD Caucus in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Sanja Vulić told SRNA that it is unacceptable that the CEC of BiH allegedly does not know how the address of the authorized representative and the UMCN of SNSD President Milorad Dodik ended up in the public domain, and that it is shameful that instead of safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process, the CEC is violating the Personal Data Protection Law.

Vulić stated that in its response to her parliamentary question submitted to the Central Election Commission /CEC/, regarding the public availability of authorizations issued by political entities and the possibility that documents containing personal data may become public, she was informed that there is no internal control within the institution. "The Central Election Commission of BiH has just informed me that there are apparently `ghosts` among their employees, individuals over whom they claim to have no control," Vulić said, commenting on the CEC's response, which is also included in the material for the House of Representatives session scheduled for December 12. She explained that she addressed the question to the CEC referring to the BiH Personal Data Protection Law and that she received a reply claiming the law is being respected, yet the CEC "does not know" how the authorized representative's address and the Unique Master Citizen Number /UMCN/ of SNSD President Milorad Dodik ended up in the media. Vulić emphasized that the SNSD possesses evidence, including modern technological tools, showing that only one person had access to the disputed document, and that the same individual created the document and personally submitted it to the CEC. "What needs to happen for the CEC to finally react? A court case? Or is the real problem that certain staff members are facing pressure and blackmail from particular journalists, `Murphy's recidivists,` so to speak?" Vulić asked. She stressed that it is disgraceful that an institution whose job is to protect the integrity of the electoral process, an institution meant to reflect the will of citizens across BiH, has become a place where the Personal Data Protection Law is being violated. "This creates space for targeting, media spin, and the potential lynching of those with differing views," Vulić said, adding that such conduct by the CEC is entirely unacceptable in the 21st century, in a society that claims to be democratic. She noted that it is particularly concerning that the CEC provided the media with a document clearly showing the authorized representative's address, thereby potentially endangering the safety of all individuals living at that address. "Whether by accident, intentionally, with or without motive, it is too much! Even if it comes from political opponents," Vulić stated.