Political Parties Seek Access to Voter Data Despite Restrictions

Political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina are pushing for continued access to personal data from the voter register, despite existing restrictions. The president of the Agency for Personal Data Protection, Željko Rutović, highlighted that a provision previously blocked by the Agency prevents political parties from directly accessing voter information.

According to Rutović, parties could only verify data through a specific interface, which allowed them to check already entered information during modifications. Once the voter register is finalized, these parties lose that access. Nonetheless, both ruling and opposition parties have reached a consensus to maintain such rights, indicating a unified stance on this issue.

Rutović’s remarks underscore concerns about transparency and data privacy in the electoral process. The Agency has established these restrictions to protect voter information, aiming to ensure that personal data is not misused. The ongoing dialogue among political entities raises questions about their commitment to ethical standards in handling sensitive information.

While political parties argue that access to voter data is essential for campaign strategies and outreach, critics warn of potential risks to voter privacy. The debate continues as stakeholders evaluate the implications of granting political parties broader access to personal data, balancing the need for operational effectiveness against the obligation to safeguard citizens’ rights.

In the coming weeks, it remains to be seen how this discussion will evolve and whether formal changes to the current regulations will be proposed. The outcome could significantly impact how political campaigns are conducted in the future, especially in a country where trust in electoral processes is critical for democracy.