A member of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Suad Arnautović, warned in an interview with FENA that the response of BiH citizens to register to vote outside the country in the 2026 general elections is worryingly low, and called on the diaspora to register by July 21.
According to him, from the beginning of the registration process on May 8 until today, 11,379 voters who opened a user account and submitted an application for voting accessed the e-Elections portal.
“Of these, 7,779 voters met the conditions for voting, while the processing of applications for another 1,037 voters is ongoing. The fact that 1,037 voters did not meet the requirements for registration is worrying, which is 9.11 percent of the total number of registered voters,” said Arnautović.
The largest number of applications was recorded from Germany (2,300), Croatia (2,212), Austria (1,223) and Serbia (557).
Speaking about the organization of voting in diplomatic and consular missions of BiH, Arnautović said that polling stations are planned to be opened in 43 embassies, general and honorary consulates in 29 countries, including the embassies in Amman, Moscow and Kuwait and the general consulates in Rijeka and Novi Pazar.
However, he emphasized that the final decision on organizing voting will depend on the number of registered voters.
“As a rule, the CEC BiH determines polling stations in DKPs if at least 50 voters are registered, and exceptionally it can decide otherwise if there are justified reasons for this,” he explained.
The most common reasons why applications are rejected are failure to submit a valid identification document, incomplete documentation, lack of proof of residence abroad or unsigned forms.
Arnautović believes that institutions and political subjects share responsibility for the modest number of registered voters.
He pointed out that the CEC of BiH is responsible for organizing the election process and prescribing procedures for registering voters outside the country, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH and the diplomatic-consular network have an important role in informing citizens and logistical support.
“I am surprised that political parties do not take a more active role in the registration of the diaspora. CEC explains how to vote, and why political parties should vote, and because of that they have an important role in motivating voters,” he said.
He also invited BiH citizens living abroad to exercise their right to vote.
“Registration and voting are not only a right, but also a responsibility of all citizens who want to contribute to the development and stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I invite our citizens to register by July 21 at the latest, and then go to the polls in October and vote in accordance with their convictions and conscience,” said Arnautović.
