Why was the IDDEEA's 2023 report not adopted in the Council of Ministers meeting? Will the issuance of personal documents be at risk due to the non-adoption of the state budget? Almir Badnjevic, Director of the Agency for Identification Documents, Registers and Data Exchange of Bosnia and Herzegovina (IDDEEA), discussed these and other topics with N1.

Badnjevic explained that the agency's report was one of three, out of a total of 53 reports, not reviewed by the Collegium before the Council of Ministers session, calling it “symptomatic” that all three reports not considered were from Bosniaks.

“What matters and definitely bothers people is that IDDEEA has finally started to work, providing electronic signatures, a digital wallet, all for free, moving closer to European standards, introducing electronic data exchange, control of database access, preventing document duplication and forgery, etc. It started to bother that the agency and the state are developing, and citizens of BiH are benefiting,” Badnjevic emphasized.

Regarding the report itself, he added that it “may or may not” be adopted, but the agency will continue to do its job.

Addressing the issue of blocking the construction of IDDEEA's building, which currently operates without its own premises, Badnjevic explained that there is a project for building in Banja Luka, as well as funds, but nothing has been done since 2014.

Since taking office last year, he initiated the process, obtaining opinions and approvals from ministries and other authorities, but again, according to him, the Collegium decided “from the same team” not to support the building's construction. He clarified that the ministers in question are from Republika Srpska.

If the construction is not supported in the second round of voting, IDDEEA will seek to redirect funds to purchase space in regional centers – Sarajevo, Mostar, Bihac, where the agency also currently operates without its own premises.

Badnjević noted that the problem is IDDEEA already has land and a built foundation in Banja Luka, with 3 million KM invested. He called this irresponsible and stated that someone should be held accountable if the project does not continue.

Regarding criminal charges, he revealed that the blockades are from Minister Stasa Kosarac, and IDDEEA has filed criminal complaints against him for attempting various hiring practices, which did not pass, leading to the refusal of certain points.

When asked if he expected difficulty in performing his role due to political influence, Badnjevic responded that coming from the private and academic sectors, he has always been transparent and believes citizens should have complete insight into the situation.

On the potential negative impact of the budget non-adoption on document issuance, he warned that if temporary financing continues for another quarter, the agency might face issues in September, being unable to pay for the previous month's services.

Discussing the introduction of the digital signature and its legal basis, Badnjevic explained that new European directives require all citizens to use a digital signature and identity wallet for free. IDDEEA has implemented this and is working on the digital wallet with the EU Delegation and GIZ, expected to be completed by the end of the year.

He also announced that from July 1st, regional offices will open where citizens can obtain their digital identity and activate the digital signature for free.

Regarding IDDEEA's involvement in the upcoming elections, Badnjevic outlined that the agency will ensure every citizen’s ID card is scanned, and biometrics verified, to prevent multiple voting and ensure online data transfer to the Central Election Commission of BiH as part of a pilot project.