Bosnia and Herzegovina votes on Sunday, 4 October 2026 — digital ID and NGO warnings

All preparations are in place for general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday, 4 October 2026, the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CIK) said. More than 2,400 observers — including 756 from abroad — will monitor the conduct of voting and counting.

Key technical safeguards and turnout data

Voters on polling day will be identified by fingerprint at polling stations, and all ballots will be scanned immediately after voting. The CIK says those measures will allow it to publish the first preliminary results shortly after polling stations close — expected on Sunday at about 20:00.

The ballot contest covers 518 public office posts from the state down to cantonal level. More than 7,000 candidates representing 76 political parties are competing, and the voter register lists over 3.4 million eligible voters. Voting will also be organised in 20 diplomatic-consular representations of Bosnia and Herzegovina abroad.

At the same time, a coalition of non-governmental organisations called Pod lupa, which monitors the electoral campaign, reported that it has documented more than 1,200 different irregularities during the campaign period. Nearly half of those alleged violations relate to the misuse of public resources by parties and candidates aimed at securing favour with voters.

According to the coalition’s records, the CIK has already imposed monetary fines totalling more than 150,000 euros. The coalition said that roughly 20 percent of the documented irregularities are attributable to the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) of Milorad Dodik, and about 10 percent to the Party of Democratic Action (SDA).

Photo: press material from the event