Milorad Dodik, leader of the ruling coalition in Republika Srpska and head of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), has flatly rejected opposition demands for repeat elections in Doboj, Zvornik, and Laktaši, despite serious allegations of electoral fraud.
Speaking to reporters, Dodik claimed the presidential elections were “over” for his party in these cities, even though the opposition insists there is “explicit evidence” of irregularities. Dodik dismissed their concerns as politically motivated, portraying the opposition as attempting to exploit Bosniak votes and international influence to undermine Republika Srpska’s leadership.
“The opposition could attract 18,000 to 20,000 votes from Bosniaks, who voted for their candidate Blanuša and made these elections uncertain. Bosniaks had the opportunity to vote and harm Republika Srpska, and they did that,” Dodik said, placing blame on minority voters rather than addressing the serious concerns over election integrity.
Observers note that Dodik’s comments are a blatant attempt to delegitimize legitimate opposition challenges, while consolidating his grip on power. By claiming that election irregularities are simply excuses by Bosniaks and the opposition, Dodik effectively ignores the accusations of fraud raised by voters and civil society organizations.
Dodik even went as far as to credit U.S. political developments for Karan’s victory, stating that the SNSD candidate owes part of his success to Donald Trump becoming U.S. president. Such remarks underscore Dodik’s tendency to deflect accountability for domestic electoral processes while appealing to external narratives.
With voter turnout at just 37 percent, many analysts warn that Dodik’s dismissive stance on repeat elections raises questions about the legitimacy of Republika Srpska’s democratic institutions. By rejecting calls for transparency and refusing to investigate irregularities in Doboj, Zvornik, and Laktaši, Dodik is accused of prioritizing political survival over democratic accountability.
The opposition, led by the Serbian Democratic Party (SDS), has vowed to challenge Karan’s victory, claiming that irregularities in key cities affected the election outcome. Dodik’s refusal to acknowledge these claims fuels concerns that Republika Srpska’s elections are increasingly undermined by partisan interference, intimidation, and disregard for voters’ rights.
