CH/02/12470 “a) complaints concerning violations of the electoral code and the additional regulations and directives issued by the Permanent Election Commission; b) any other case for which competence is provided by the laws of Bosnia and Herzegovina.” 3. Chapter 14 of the Instructions to the Parties 41. Chapter 14, entitled “AFBiH in a Democratic Society Ethics, Development and Cooperation5” states in section 1, entitled “General” that the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be able to have confidence in the AFBiH officers, and that the implementation of the peace process will be encouraged by AFBiH members whose support for that process is unquestioned, and who refrain from inappropriate involvement in the political life of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Entities. Section 1c notes that this Instruction applies to: “… all General Officers of the AFBiH regardless of their status (active, inactive, reserve, or other status) serving in, or being considered for promotion to, the military rank equivalent to the NATO designation of OF-6 or higher. Such officers are identified within this document as “General Officers’. It applies to any proposed promotion to, lateral move within, appointment, removal (generally construed to mean a permanent and punitive expulsion from the AFBiH), suspension, demotion or retirement from such ranks of any AFBiH General Officer.” 42. Section 2e of Chapter 14 addresses the prohibition on General Officers from participating in political matters, with the exception of voting. The prohibited activities outlined in subsection 2 are as follows: (a).Professional military members are not permitted to be members of political parties. (b).Officers of all ranks shall not use their official position to interfere with or influence the course or outcome of an election, or solicit votes for a candidate or for a specific issue. (c).Officers shall not hold elected or appointed public office while in an active status or attempt to influence members of public office for private gain. (d).Officers shall not assist or manage a political campaign, or solicit, accept or receive political contributions. (e).Officers shall not participate, in any way, in political campaigns or events such as rallies, dinners, parades, meetings, fundraisers or speaking engagements, whether in or out of uniform. (f).Officers shall not allow their titles or positions to be used for political purposes. (g).Officers shall not ask subordinates to volunteer for or to contribute to political causes, rallies or to participate in political fundraising activities. (h).Officers shall not stand for nomination or be a candidate for any partisan political cause or office. (i).Officers shall not solicit, encourage or discourage participation in political activities, other than to encourage others to vote. (j).Officers shall not publish or cause to be published any partisan political articles in support of or against any political issue, party or candidate. (k).Officers shall not serve in any official capacity, or sponsor or endorse any political party or partisan political club or organization. 5 AFBiH stands for Army of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 7