Widespread distrust overshadows upcoming elections in Bosnia

This pervasive pessimism is reinforced by direct personal experiences, as 11.2 percent of respondents reported witnessing vote-buying or other forms of electoral fraud firsthand. Alongside this institutional skepticism, public trust in key political actors and public bodies remains remarkably low. The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina leads public confidence with a mere 21.54 percent, closely followed by the "Under the Magnifier" Coalition at 20.73 percent, candidates at 18.33 percent, and municipal election commissions at 16.95 percent. Political parties languish at 9.28 percent, while government officials, other non-governmental organizations, and the media trail at the bottom. By contrast, prior to the 2024 local elections, candidates enjoyed the highest level of public trust at 20.3 percent.

Media outlets occupy a paradoxical position within society. Although ranked as the least trusted institutions, they remain the primary source of news for 63.5 percent of the population, with television dominating at 47.9 percent. However, 69.9 percent of citizens express disbelief in the information they receive through media channels, 75.5 percent feel that coverage during campaigns lacks objectivity, and 78.95 percent have observed blatant favoritism toward specific political parties or politicians. Furthermore, 77.4 percent of citizens argue that current legal sanctions are far too lenient to deter electoral corruption effectively.

Despite these significant systemic concerns, a resounding 80.4 percent of citizens strongly advocate for the implementation of new electoral technologies to curb fraud, and 60.9 percent believe such innovations will successfully safeguard their ballots. Looking ahead to the 2026 General Elections, 73.5 percent of citizens confirmed their intention to cast a ballot. The coalition emphasized that this resilience demonstrates how voters continue to view elections as a vital mechanism to determine representation, bolstered by technological safeguards.