Polling stations opened on Sunday in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where more than 3.4 million eligible voters are taking part in the general elections. Voters are electing members of the three-member Presidency, members of parliament, and leaders of the country’s two entities.
The elections are taking place amid a tense political climate, with ethnic divisions, economic problems, youth emigration, and stalled reforms on the path toward European Union membership among the main issues.
For the first time, the electoral process is being conducted with biometric voter identification and ballot scanning. Delays and technical difficulties with the new system, which is intended to increase transparency and prevent manipulation, have been reported at some polling stations.
Milorad Dodik, the former president of Republika Srpska and leader of the SNSD, has also been a major focus of the campaign. Although barred from holding public office, he continues to wield significant political influence in the Serb entity, and his party remains one of the main political forces there.
Many citizens have expressed disappointment with politics and are calling for greater attention to everyday problems, including living standards and the departure of young people.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has remained politically and institutionally divided since the end of the 1992–1995 war, is seeking to advance on its path toward EU membership. However, political divisions and internal blockages continue to hinder reforms, while Russia’s influence in Republika Srpska remains a concern for the West.
