A very challenging period ahead for the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina in introducing specific technologies into the electoral process
Sarajevo, 22 August 2025 – In line with the Decision of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina enacting the Law on Amendments to the Law on Financing of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, dated 17 July 2025, as of yesterday, operational funds in the amount of BAM 112,500,000 have been made available for the implementation of a multi-annual project introducing specific technologies into the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The public is reminded that the Central Election Commission of BiH, at its session held on 28 February 2025, adopted the Final Report on the conducted pilot projects introducing new technologies into the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Feasibility Study on introducing specific electoral technologies into the electoral process of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, at its 27th session held on 15 April 2025, adopted the aforementioned documents.
The implementation of biometric voter verification technology and ballot scanning throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina is a complex multi-phase process, and according to the adopted Feasibility Study, the deadline for securing financial resources was April 2025, in order to ensure smooth implementation.
The process of introducing specific technologies into the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina entails a multi-annual project of capital investment and digitalization of the electoral process for the period 2025–2028, in line with the schedule set out in the Framework Operational Plan adopted by the Central Election Commission of BiH.
For the implementation of the aforementioned project in 2025, the procurement of devices for biometric voter identification and optical scanners for the automatic counting of ballots is planned, as well as the procurement of software licenses for the biometric voter identification devices and software licenses for the optical scanners for automatic ballot counting. The development of an identity and election management system is also planned.
In 2026, the plan includes securing storage facilities and premises for device configuration, procurement of paper and printing of ballots, recruitment of staff to work on project implementation and election administration, staff education and training, voter education, the establishment of a data center for hosting (monitoring field activities, call center, and providing server space for storage and availability of websites or applications on the internet), as well as other tasks necessary for the implementation of the project as determined by special decisions of the Central Election Commission of BiH.
For certain public procurements, the legal obligation is to launch an international tender, the implementation of which requires up to three months under ideal conditions; however, potential appeals may significantly affect the duration of the procedure. Therefore, a very challenging period lies ahead for the Central Election Commission of BiH.
Although the funds for the implementation of the project introducing specific electoral technologies into the electoral process were secured with several months’ delay compared to the deadlines set in the Feasibility Study, the Central Election Commission of BiH will use its knowledge, experience, and all available capacities to successfully implement the project.
The Central Election Commission of BiH will keep the public duly informed about all upcoming activities.