The “Pod lupom” Coalition publishes its election day observation findings by 7:00 PM, covering the voting process and the closing of polling stations, based on reports from citizen, non-partisan observers deployed in Fojnica, Kiseljak, Konjic, and Kreševo.
Voting
The voting process at polling stations in the basic constituencies where elections were postponed proceeded similarly to the regular Local Elections, with notable differences in certain electoral irregularities and oversights.
Irregularities that recur from one election cycle to the next, such as family voting, were recorded. This irregularity was noted at more polling stations than in the regular elections, specifically at 62% of polling stations, compared to 51.6% during the regular elections. The number of instances where voters received assistance from another person without proof that such help was necessary was significantly higher in the postponed elections. In the regular elections, these instances were recorded at 8.1% of polling stations, while in the postponed elections, they were recorded at 27.6% of polling stations observed. The number of instances where one person assisted multiple voters in the voting booth was also somewhat higher in the postponed elections. This irregularity was recorded at 37.9% of polling stations, compared to 29.3% during the regular elections.
On the other hand, the number of instances where voters were turned away because they were not on the CVR extract decreased by nearly half compared to the regular elections. This issue was recorded at 27.6% of polling stations, down from 50.8% during the regular elections.
Among other recorded voting process irregularities are photographing of ballots (at 4 polling stations), violation of voting secrecy (at 4 polling stations), voting without checking the required identification documents (at 3 polling stations), and the presence of unauthorized individuals at a polling station (1 polling station). Additionally, there was one instance of violation of the election silence. In the vicinity of polling stations in the center of Konjic, campaign material of one political entity was placed on a local building and was visible from the surrounding polling stations during the voting process.
Observers logged complaints regarding the electoral process at 7 observed polling stations, 3 of which pertained to the use of parallel voter lists by party observers in Fojnica. These lists were used to record voters who had cast their ballots, with the intention of pressuring voters and potentially violating the Law on the Protection of Personal Data and the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Due to this irregularity, an initiative was filed to launch a procedure ex officio by the Municipal Election Commission (MEC) of Fojnica and the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Closing of Polling Stations
Most polling stations closed on time. Two polling stations, one in Konjic and one in Kiseljak, closed with a delay of up to 15 minutes. According to the latest information, most voters waiting inside or in front of the polling stations by 7:00 PM were allowed to vote.
Voter Turnout by 7:00 PM
The recorded voter turnout for the postponed elections by 7:00 PM was 51.1% (with a margin of error of +/- 2.63% at a 95% confidence interval), 4% higher than in the regular election. The turnout for the regular Local Election held on October 6th by 7:00 PM was 47.1% (with a margin of error of +/- 1.26% at a 95% confidence interval).
Conclusion
Electoral irregularities observed during this postponed election, which have persisted for years, once again highlight the need to enhance the electoral process, particularly in voter identification, voting, and vote counting. The new technologies piloted and proved successful represent the future of elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as they prevent well-documented electoral fraud on election day. Holding the next General Elections in 2026 without implementing these new technologies at all regular polling stations cannot be an option.
Moreover, improving the impartiality and professionalism of the election administration, ensuring greater certainty of sanctions, and imposing the maximum legally prescribed penalties are the best ways to deter those who frequently commit electoral fraud and, to a significant extent, win elections as a result.
