The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections “Pod lupom” has launched a nationwide public campaign, to be coordinated by its 40 member organizations across 50 municipalities and cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina during this non-election year. The campaign aims to improve the electoral process in BiH and to educate citizens about elections.
The campaign will include advocacy for key recommendations to enhance the electoral process in BiH, the implementation of the information and education program “Academy for Fair Elections,” and the youth-focused education program “I vote for the first time” targeting those who will vote for the first time in the upcoming 2026 General Elections.
“Our goal is to raise awareness in as many local communities as possible about the importance of free and fair elections and to encourage citizens to become active participants in the electoral process. We are not waiting for an election year to push for change – now is the right time to act,” stated representatives of the “Pod lupom” Coalition.
Efforts to improve the electoral process and implement the Coalition’s key recommendations are essential for achieving free and fair elections in BiH. Recent elections have faced numerous challenges, ranging from a lack of electoral reform to widespread and well-documented irregularities, coupled with weak and inadequate institutional responses. After the legal framework for reform was established, BiH tested new election technologies during the last elections. The need for urgent reform to safeguard electoral integrity is now more pressing than ever.
Electoral reform must not remain mere words on paper. Institutions must take concrete steps to complete the reforms that have already begun. In particular, it is vital that funds for new election technologies are secured in the budget of BiH institutions, emphasized the Coalition.
The Coalition also reminded the public that the introduction of new election technologies reflects the will of the people. Nearly 100,000 citizens signed the Coalition’s petition in support of new technologies, and public opinion surveys show that 83% of BiH citizens support their introduction.
Working on these priorities will remain the focus of all Coalition member organizations in the coming period. Through local community activities across BiH, citizens will have the opportunity to submit written requests to competent institutions, demanding improvements to the electoral process and the implementation of reforms that already have a legal foundation.
At the same time, citizens will have the opportunity to enroll in the Coalition’s election school, “Academy for Fair Elections,” which will provide education on the BiH electoral system, the most common irregularities, how to report them, and how to vote.
Additionally, the “I vote for the first time” program is scheduled to take place throughout the year. This program provides education in schools and other educational institutions on elections and voting in BiH, specifically targeting youth who will cast their first vote in the 2026 General Elections.
The primary goal of these programs is to strengthen the democratic culture in BiH society, with a particular focus on increasing youth participation in the electoral process.
The “Pod lupom” Coalition invites all interested citizens to get involved in its upcoming activities and contribute to improving the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
