BOSNIA'S electoral commission has annulled the candidacy of an independent running for mayor in the central town of Zenica next month after he used pornography on his website to attract voters.

Mirad Hadziahmetovic "violated Bosnia's electoral law by publishing pornographic photos and video clips during the electoral campaign" ahead of the October 7, the commission said in a statement explaining the move.

The pornographic clips were immediately removed on Friday from the official campaign website www.gradzenica.info on the orders of the commission.

Contacted by AFP, Mr Hadziahmetovic said he would appeal the decision.

"I have put a link to such material so that more citizens take a look at my mayoral program," he said.

"It was a kind of promotion," Mr Hadziahmetovic said, adding that the strategy had indeed prompted growing interest in his program.

The website included a link labelled "For Adults" allowing visitors, after confirming that they were over 18, to watch hardcore pornographic clips including a category titled "Clips Liked by the Mayor".

Before gaining access to the clips, visitors had to answer questions such as "What is most important for society? - Jobs, the town's budget or the money in the private account of the current Zenica mayor?"

Originally published as Bosnia bans would-be mayor over porn