Five years after the 2020 local elections, citizens of Doboj are still waiting for justice in cases related to electoral fraud. According to the latest data provided by the Doboj Basic Court, as of June 4, 2025, the District Prosecutor’s Office in Doboj had filed 67 indictments against 350 individuals for the criminal offense of electoral fraud. Although the Doboj Basic Court confirmed all indictments, the total number of final verdicts remains relatively low.
To date, only 27 acquittals have been issued, covering 139 individuals. In addition, just one suspended sentence was handed down to two people, while one indictment was dismissed.
These figures highlight the sluggishness of judicial proceedings in cases involving electoral irregularities, further eroding public trust in the integrity of the electoral system and the efficiency of judicial institutions.
Judicial Delays Undermine Democracy
It is concerning that such critical cases—ones that directly affect the democratic process and citizens’ trust in free and fair elections—are being resolved years after the offenses occurred. In Doboj, a city previously scrutinized for electoral irregularities, this judicial stagnation sends a message of impunity and fosters voter apathy.
According to recommendations from the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina (HJPC BiH), prosecuting electoral fraud must be a priority for both prosecutors and courts, particularly in cases of significant public interest. The HJPC has repeatedly emphasized the need for more efficient proceedings and stronger coordination between prosecutors’ offices, courts, and the Central Election Commission of BiH, in order to ensure consistent enforcement of election laws and effective sanctioning of criminal offenses.
Is Trust in the System Eroding?
This raises an important question: how can citizens trust in a fair electoral process if justice is delayed for years? The slow pace of verdicts in electoral fraud cases not only undermines the legitimacy of the election process but also discourages the reporting of irregularities in the future.
With the upcoming General Elections, this issue becomes even more pressing. Citizens of Doboj—and of all Bosnia and Herzegovina—deserve a clear message that electoral crimes will be prosecuted swiftly and decisively.
Conclusion
The Doboj case is a prime example of how delays in the judiciary can have far-reaching societal consequences. A systemic improvement in handling electoral cases is necessary to ensure that elections are not merely a formality but a genuine reflection of the will of the people.
