2020 Ilidža local elections

Local elections were held in Ilidža on 15 November 2020 to elect members of the municipal council and the municipal mayor. The elections were part of the Bosnian municipal elections. The elections occurred under the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Ilidža local elections
← 2016 15 November 2020 2024 →
Registered65,601
Turnout45.68% (Increase 1.1 pp)
Mayoral election
 
Nermin Muzur.jpg
Fikret Prevljak.jpg
Candidate Nermin Muzur Fikret Prevljak
Party NiP SDA
Alliance Four
Popular vote 18,349 8,730
Percentage 63.60% 30.26%

 
Candidate Edin Bunda Tahir Pervan
Party PzP Independent Bloc
Popular vote 1,345 227
Percentage 4.66% 0.79%

Mayor before election

Senaid Memić
SDA

Elected mayor

Nermin Muzur
NiP

Background

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Incumbent municipal mayor, Senaid Memić, was not seeking re-election, instead the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) candidate was former Bosnian Army commander Fikret Prevljak.[1] The political dynamics in Ilidža mirrored broader trends in the Sarajevo Canton, with the Four coalition, a broad coalition of parties united in opposition to the SDA's dominance in the Canton, composing of People and Justice (NiP), the Social Democratic Party, Our Party and the Independent Bosnian-Herzegovinian List. Their candidate was NiP's Nermin Muzur.[2] There were also two candidates from minor parties, Edin Bunda from the Platform for Progress, Tahir Pervan from the Independent Bloc and Muhamed Kubat who was an independent candidate.

Campaign

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Prevljak's campaign emphasized the importance of continuing the development of Ilidža, including infrastructure projects like a tramway to the neighborhood of Hrasnica, a cable car from Hrasnica to mount Igman and improving water and sewage systems. He promised to create job opportunities for young people to prevent their emigration and supported projects for self-employment and housing for young couples.[1] His campaign was also marred by some controversy. The Central Election Commission had initiated proceedings against Prevljak, due to his controversial statement about Predrag Kojović, the president of Our Party, implying that Kojović “won't be around,” which the party reported as a threat.[3] He also sent a letter to a dead soldier, Fahrudin Kovač, asking for his vote. Kovač’s son, Amar, who responded to it, said that his father died in 1992. Amar expressed his family's struggles and criticized Prevljak for the emotional distress caused by the letter.[4]

Muzur was formerly a member of the SDA but left with several other SDA members to form People and Justice in 2018. He campaigned emphasizing the differences between the two parties, particularly in their approach to corruption and transparency and that he was willing to make personal sacrifices, such as reducing his salary and using public transport, to set an example and save costs. He promised to implement managerial governance, develop industrial zones, and improve tourism in Ilidža. He also supported building a tram line from Ilidža to Hrasnica and a cable car from Hrasnica to Igman. Regarding whether Ilidža should be a separate city or part of the capital Sarajevo, he said that decision should be made by its residents.[5]

Platform for Progress candidate Edin Bunda criticized the lack of vision, knowledge, and strategy in local politics, criticizing both the ruling party and the opposition, calling for new faces in politics, change, and fresh ideas. His campaign focused on security, economic development, urbanization, and transparency. He also planned to address pollution, COVID-19, low birth rates, and traffic congestion by involving experts.[6]

During a TV debate, independent candidate Muhamed Kubat, in what seemed like a frustrated, unplanned move, announced his withdrawal from the race to support Fikret Prevljak.[7]

Results

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Mayoral election

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Candidates Results[8]
Candidate Party Votes %
Nermin Muzur NiPNSSDP 18,349 63.60
Fikret Prevljak Party of Democratic Action 8,730 30.26
Edin Bunda Platform for Progress 1,345 4.66
Tahir Pervan Independent Bloc 227 0.79
Muhamed Kubat
(withdrawn)
Independent 198 0.69
Invalid votes: 1,117 3.73%
Turnout: 29,966 45.68%
Registered voters: 65,601

Municipal Council

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Party Previous

seats

Votes % Seats Seat

change

Party of Democratic Action
14 / 31
8,702 30.73
11 / 31
  3
People and Justice
0 / 31
8,406 29.68
11 / 31
  11
Social Democratic Party
3 / 31
2,347 8.29
3 / 31
  0
Our Party
3 / 31
1,356 4.79
2 / 31
  1
Platform for Progress
0 / 31
1,237 4.37
2 / 31
  2
First Party
2 / 31
1,029 3.63
1 / 31
  1
Independent Bosnian-Herzegovinian List
0 / 31
973 3.44
1 / 31
  1
Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina
1 / 31
831 2.93
0 / 31
  1
Union for a Better Future
3 / 31
801 2.83
0 / 31
  3
Democratic Front
0 / 31
719 2.54
0 / 31
  0
Party of Democratic Activity
0 / 31
378 1.33
0 / 31
  0
Pensioners' Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina
0 / 31
310 1.09
0 / 31
  0
Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina
0 / 31
301 1.06
0 / 31
  0
Independent Bloc
0 / 31
277 0.98
0 / 31
  0
Bosnian-Herzegovinian Patriotic Party
1 / 31
274 0.97
0 / 31
  1
Liberal Democratic Party
0 / 31
205 0.72
0 / 31
  0
Social Democrats
0 / 31
115 0.41
0 / 31
  0
Bosniak Movement
0 / 31
39 0.14
0 / 31
  0
Movement Bridge 21
0 / 31
16 0.06
0 / 31
  0
Croatian Party of Rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina
0 / 31
6 0.02
0 / 31
  0
Invalid votes: 1,644 5.49%
Turnout: 29,966 45.68%
Registered voters: 28,322

References

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  1. ^ a b "Fikret Prevljak: Mladi su željeli da budem kandidat, fokusirani smo na budućnost Ilidže". Klix.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Ovo su biografije kandidata Četvorke za načelnike u Kantonu Sarajevo". Klix.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  3. ^ "CIK pokrenuo postupak protiv Fikreta Prevljaka zbog izjave da "Kojovića neće biti"". Klix.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  4. ^ Raport.ba (9 November 2020). "Prevljak poslao pismo šehidu, tražio da glasa za njega. Stigao potresan odgovor sina". Raport.ba - Najnovije vijesti (in Bosnian). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Nermin Muzur: Talas pozitivnih promjena na Ilidži niko ne može zaustaviti". Klix.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Edin Bunda: Stara lica u novim uniformama ne mogu donijeti promjenu". radiosarajevo.ba (in Bosnian). 9 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  7. ^ "Nezavisni kandidat za načelnika Ilidže u TV emisiji odustao od kandidature i podržao Prevljaka (SDA)". Klix.ba (in Bosnian). Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Rezultati | Lokalni izbori 2020".