Two-Day Conference of Election Management Bodies “Local Elections 2024 – Lessons for the Future” begins
Sarajevo, 24.04.2025- The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, is organizing a two-day post-election Conference of Election Administration Bodies, titled "Local Elections 2024 – Lessons for the Future," which began today in Sarajevo.
The purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity for all relevant election administration stakeholders to evaluate their work during the Local Elections held in October 2024.
The conference will not only focus on analyzing the organization and conduct of the 2024 Local Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina but will also, through discussions in working groups, address the necessary improvements to electoral legislation ahead of the 2026 General Elections.
The conference was opened with speeches by Dr. Irena Hadžiabdić, President of the Central Election Commission of BiH, H.E. Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, and Mr. Vahagn Muradyan, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo.
Dr. Hadžiabdić presented the concept of the conference, stating:
“During this two-day conference, we will discuss how we organized and conducted the 2024 Local Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will present the Report on the implemented pilot projects and the Feasibility Study, and we will have the opportunity to hear the findings from the reports of international observation missions (ODIHR and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities). In addition, we will hold four workshops, working in groups, each focusing on different topics aimed at necessary improvements: the voting and counting process, the appointment of polling station committees, the introduction of new technologies, and other key issues.”
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Ambassador Brian Aggeler reminded the audience of the OSCE Mission’s long-standing commitment and dedication to necessary electoral reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Transparency in election administration plays a key role in strengthening citizens’ trust in institutions. Increasing transparency reduces the information gap between citizens and public officials, enabling voters to make more informed decisions — both in terms of supporting political parties and fostering more active civic engagement. Through its project to strengthen the integrity of electoral processes in BiH, the OSCE Mission is making continuous efforts to build the capacity of election administration bodies and to introduce electoral technologies aimed at enhancing transparency and citizens' trust in the integrity of the electoral process”, he emphasized.
“It is very important to draw valuable lessons after each election cycle and to thoroughly analyze the recommendations of international observation missions. Transparent, inclusive, and fair elections are essential for Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue strengthening democracy, the protection of human rights, and the rule of law. The Council of Europe remains committed to assisting the Central Election Commission in implementing international recommendations and guidelines, including those from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities’ observation mission, to further improve the electoral process”, said Vahagn Muradyan, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo.
The conference brought together around 200 participants — representatives of municipal and city election commissions, election experts from both within the country and abroad, including representatives of the Council of Europe, the OSCE Mission to BiH, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Delegation of the European Union, the Office of the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina (OHR), as well as representatives of the non-governmental sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the media.
The conclusions will be adopted as the final document of the conference “Local Elections 2024 – Lessons for the Future”.
During the conference, the Central Election Commission of BiH will also present awards to members and employees of the election administration, as well as to other deserving individuals and institutions, in recognition of their engagement in the implementation of the 2024 Local Elections.