Members of election administration bodies at all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina convened in Sarajevo on 24 and 25 April to assess the 2024 Local Elections, identify key challenges and lessons learned, and propose conclusions for further improving electoral processes ahead of the next general elections in 2026.
The conference “2024 Local Elections – Lessons for the Future” was organised by the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support from the Council of Europe in cooperation with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. It brought together over 200 participants, including members of the Central Election Commission, city and municipal election commissions, domestic and international experts, and representatives of the Council of Europe, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Delegation of the European Union, the Office of the High Representative, media, and civil society.
Opening the conference, the Chairwoman of the BiH CEC Irena Hadžiabdić outlined the concept and workplan for the event:
“During this two-day event, we will talk about how the 2024 Local Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were organised and conducted. We shall present the report on pilot projects and the Feasibility Study that were also implemented, and we shall have an opportunity to hear about the findings of international monitoring missions (ODIHR and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe). We will also have four workshops, working in groups, each focusing on different areas for improvement, including voting and vote counting, appointment of election committees, the introduction of new technologies, and other challenging aspects.”
In his opening address, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brian Aggeler, underscored the OSCE’s long-term commitment to necessary electoral reforms in BiH:
“The transparency of the election administration plays a key role in strengthening citizens’ trust in institutions. By increasing transparency, you reduce the information gap between citizens and public officials, enabling voters to make more informed decisions—both in terms of supporting political parties and through active civic engagement. Through its project to bolster the integrity of electoral processes in BiH, the OSCE Mission is continuously working to strengthen the capacities of the election administration and support the introduction of election technologies to improve transparency and citizens’ trust in the integrity of the election process.”
“It is very important, after each election cycle, to learn valuable lessons and analyse the recommendations of international monitoring missions. Transparent, inclusive and fair elections are vital for BiH to continue strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The Council of Europe continues to support the Central Election Commission in implementing international recommendations and guidelines, including those presented by the monitoring mission of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, to improve the electoral process,” said Vahagn Muradyan, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo.
Concluding the conference, CEC Chair Hadžiabdić outlined the conclusions from the working group which will be presented to relevant authorities as recommendations for further improvements in the organisation and implementation of elections.
In his closing remarks, Elections Programme Coordinator with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Franck Daeschler said that elections happen in a constantly evolving environment, necessitating constant adaptibility, analysis and reflection:
“These conferences provide opportunities for fantastic dialogue after the immediate pressure of the elections organisation is over. This is essential to further improve election processes togehter. This word ‘together’ is especially important, as in a democracy, everyone has a vital role to play in ensuring transparency, inclusiveness, and integrity of elections. It is regrettable that political parties, another key part of this process, were not present despite invitations to take part and provide their contribution and perspectives.”
The Central Election Commission also presented certificates of appreciation to distinguished members of the election administration, as well as to individuals and institutions who contributed to the organisation and conduct of the 2024 Local Elections.
The conference was supported by the Council of Europe as part of the project “Supporting transparency, inclusiveness and integrity of electoral practice and processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Phase II,” which is funded by voluntary contributions from Council of Europe member states under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.
