The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina considered the requests of the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS) for a recount of ballots and for the annulment of the elections for the President of Republika Srpska at today’s session, and decided to reject both requests.
On December 16, 2025, the SDS submitted a request requesting a recount of ballots at a total of 140 polling stations. These are polling stations in the basic electoral units of Doboj, Zvornik, Laktaši, Bratunac, Prijedor, Ugljevik, Višegrad and Kozarska Dubica. The request listed specific polling stations, but the CEC service assessed that there were no grounds to comply with the request.
As explained, the request did not precisely state the reasons, but rather contained general allegations requesting a recount of ballots.
The service’s proposal was to issue a decision rejecting the political party’s request as unfounded, which the CEC adopted with four votes in favor.
It was further stated that on the same day, December 16, the SDS also filed a request for the annulment of the early elections for the President of the Republika Srpska at the same 140 polling stations in the aforementioned constituencies. The CEC concluded that such a request was not admissible, because a political entity cannot request the annulment of the election.
“The Central Election Commission cannot ex officio make a decision to annul the election based on the request of a political entity. In this case, the service’s proposal is to reject the request as inadmissible” – it was stated in the explanation.
The CEC reminded that the Commission had already taken measures to eliminate and verify electoral irregularities, acting ex officio. These measures include issuing orders for a recount of votes, opening ballot bags, and graphological examination of signatures.
“The Central Election Commission of BiH will continue with these activities in the coming period and, based on the results, decide whether and at which polling stations it will make a decision to annul the election” – it was announced at the session.
It was concluded that the request of the SDS to recount the ballots is rejected as unfounded, while the request to annul the election is rejected as inadmissible.
