Bosnia and Herzegovina will hold national elections on October 4, the country’s Central Electoral Commission announced.
This process comes at a time of prolonged political instability, where ethnic and institutional divisions continue to hinder the reforms needed for European integration.
The Balkan nation, divided since the end of the 1990s conflict between Serb and Croat-Muslim entities, often faces complicated elections and disputed results due to allegations of fraud.
To increase transparency, the commission has announced new security measures, including biometric identity checks and electronic ballot scanners at nearly 6,000 polling stations.
Voters will elect members of the tripartite presidency, the central parliament and the separate parliaments of each entity.
In addition, local cantonal assemblies will also be elected in the Croat-Muslim entity.
The elections follow a turbulent period in Republika Srpska, where President Milorad Dodik was ousted from office in 2025 after repeatedly violating the decisions of the international High Representative.
The political crisis caused by his court case has further slowed reforms necessary for Bosnia’s path to the European Union.
Although the country won EU candidate status in December 2022, accession talks have stalled. Little progress has been made in the fight against corruption, organized crime and justice reforms, due to ongoing disagreements between representatives of the Serb, Bosniak and Croat communities.
