Bosnia and Herzegovina general elections 2022: ODIHR election observation mission final report

The October 2022 general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were well organized and competitive. Nevertheless, universal and equal suffrage is still not guaranteed. Increasing segmentation along ethnic lines and the corresponding divergent views on the future of the country remain a concern for the functioning of democratic institutions. While negotiations among political parties to introduce needed legal reforms failed, recently introduced amendments strengthened some aspects of the electoral process.

Fundamental freedoms were respected during the campaign, but lack of public debate, the use of divisive rhetoric and the limited and biased media coverage reduced voters’ opportunity to make an informed choice.

Election day was overall orderly, but observers noted compromises to the secrecy of the vote due to the layout of polling stations and an inconsistent application of procedural safeguards mainly during the counting process. The observed control count was conducted in an open and transparent manner.

These are some of the main conclusions on the 2 October 2022 general elections, as detailed in the final report published by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The report offers recommendations to bring elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina closer in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections.

Key recommendations include:

• Reviewing the legal framework and eliminating discriminatory ethnicity- and residency-based restrictions on the right to stand for elections through an open and inclusive consultation process;
• Ensuring the Central Election Commission is properly resourced and funded to fully implement its mandate, including in non-election years;
• Revising the way polling station commissions are formed to ensure their impartiality and professionalism as well as their timely formation;

• Guaranteeing that members of the election administration are not recalled for arbitrary reasons and are able to conduct their duties without fear of retribution, administrative action or intimidation;

• Encouraging contestants and public officials to refrain from exercising pressure on voters;

• Investigating and deterring practices of pressure and misuse of administrative resources;

• Enhancing efforts aimed at facilitating women’s active participation in public and political life;

• Reinforcing effective protection of journalists from threats and intimidation and ensuring swift investigation of cases of pressure against journalists and media outlets;

• Further educating voters and election officials on how the voters’ right to vote in secrecy in a free atmosphere can be protected.

The ODIHR Election Observation Mission to the 2 October 2022 general elections commenced its work on 22 August and remained in the country until 20 October.

All 57 countries across the OSCE region have formally committed to follow up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.