High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt announced on Tuesday afternoon he passed a decision to impose changes to the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Schmidt used his special executive powers, known as Bonn powers, and, as he said, he did this for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I will do today what should have been done many years ago, Schmidt said in his address, adding that the changes would guarantee free and fair elections for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Schmidt stressed he is addressing the people in both entities, the Federation and Republika Srpska as well as Brcko District.

There is no discrimination here and it will not be possible as long as he is performing this duty, he underlined.

According to Schmidt, competent institutions will be enabled to get involved in the process but that voters could wait no longer.

He said he wished the solution could have been reached sooner, stressing that voters need to be sure that their votes in elections will be counted the same way it was cast. Citizens must be certain that politicians will be taking important decisions, Schmidt said. They were elected by the voters and we need to make sure every vote is counted, he reiterated.

Once Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes a part of the European Union, Schmidt stressed, his position will be a matter of the past. Many issues will be solved and his mandate will be fulfilled, he said.

Election Integrity Package – General Information

The Office of the High Representative published a document containing general information on technical changes to the electoral legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

“We are approaching another election but authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina have not addressed numerous problems, concerns, and questions that arose in previous election cycles, as well as vast departures from international democratic standards that have been pointed out by international partners in the last 15 years.

Therefore, the High Representative has acknowledged the need to intervene, having in mind the lack of capability or will among domestic authorities to remedy serious shortcomings in the election process. Voters in BiH must be given an equal chance to take part in elections and they must be assured their vote will be adequately counted and respected in subsequent government formation. Election theft must be systematically prevented.

With this aim, and following numerous consultations with international partners, domestic bodies, political representatives, and non-government organisations, the High Representative has delivered a package of measures for bolstering election integrity in BiH.

This package tackles a range of different areas, the details of which can be found on the OHR website. In summary, the adopted amendments refer to the following:

Enhanced integrity and oversight of voting and vote counting, including increased security for handling election materials before and after voting, and professionalization of election committees.

Greater transparency in voter registration, particularly concerning absentee voters and refugees, as well as verification of election registry data.

Enhanced transparency and security throughout the election process, from beginning to end, involving electronic voter identification, video surveillance, and electronic ballot counting, among other measures.

Clearer protection of human and civic rights before, during, and after elections, including more precise procedures for resolving complaints, issuing sanctions, and improving gender equality.

Prevention of voter manipulation, including stricter measures against premature political promotion and fake news, along with greater transparency in campaign and media financing.

Smooth conduct of elections with timely provision of funds and improved definitions for competencies, integrity, and independence of the Central Election Commission.

Taking into consideration the scope of this package, as well as the short time left before the next elections, the said measures should be introduced gradually for the 2024 Municipal Elections in selected pilot areas in order for them to be tested and be ready for wide implementation for the 2026 General Elections.”

The decision, published on the official website of the Office of the High Representative, came into force immediately upon its publication.