Voting rights for sale

2008-10-01 17:32

Bosnia-Hercegovina - Tired of empty promises from their politicians, inhabitants of a Bosnian town offered to sell their voting rights ahead of weekend local elections, SRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

"I sell my voting right," read a notice posted on a board for public announcements in downtown Brcko, in northern Bosnia.

Two cellphone numbers were written on the notice, SRNA said, adding that several other people have added their phone numbers as well.

However, they did not specify the amount for which they were ready to do business.

Bosnia is among the poorest countries in Europe. The average salary is about $520, while the unemployment rate stands at about 40%, according to official figures.

More than 70% of Bosnians consider political parties the most corrupt part of their society, a survey conducted in September by global watchdog Transparency International showed.

Turnout for the 2006 general elections was lower than 50%.

Bosnians will cast ballots in their fourth post-war local elections on Sunday.

- AFP