Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Yes, for the elections on Regional (Entity) and National level.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law, Art. 20.13.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
g . Other
Comments: The Central Election Commission (CEC) of BiH is given the mandate to review constituency boundaries every four years. This process.
The Republika Srpska (RS) entity has adopted its own election law in 2024, which attempts to establish a separate entity-level election commission with authority over elections within RS.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Arts. 10.12, 10.2 and 11.9.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
g . Other
Comments: House of Representatives draws its boundaries (10.2); National Assembly draws its boundaries (11.2)
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Arts. 20.13, 10.2 and 11.2.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
b . Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Comments: The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina shall consist of three Members: one Bosniac and one Croat, each directly elected from the territory of the Federation, and one Serb directly elected from the territory of the Republika Srpska.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 5.
http://www.ccbh.ba/osnovni-akti/ustav/?title=clan-5
Verified: 2025/06/23
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
c . Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The Presidency shall nominate the Chair of the Council of Ministers, who shall take office upon the approval of the House of Representatives.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 5:4.
http://www.ccbh.ba/osnovni-akti/ustav/?title=clan-5
Verified: 2025/06/23
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 5.
http://www.ccbh.ba/osnovni-akti/ustav/?title=clan-5
Verified: 2025/06/23
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
b . Two chambers
Comments: The legislative authority is exercised by the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 4.
http://www.ccbh.ba/osnovni-akti/ustav/?title=clan-4
Verified: 2025/06/23
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
g . List Proportional Representation
Comments: In addition to allocation of mandates in multi-member constituencies, there also are compensatory mandates elected from the territory of the Federation.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina: art. 9.1 (2)
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments: The national electoral law was amended in 2024.
Source: Constitution: Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
http://www.ccbh.ba/osnovni-akti/ustav/?title=preambula
Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Election Observation Mission Bosnia and HerzegovinaLocal Elections, 6 October 2024. https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/7/3/576603.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections e . Other
Comments: Article 1.1
This law shall regulate the election of the members and the delegates of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and of the members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and shall stipulate the principles governing the elections at all levels of authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
b . EMB
Comments: For different types of disputes, different bodies are responsible in the first instance: Municipal Election Commission, Central Election Commission.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 6:4 & art. 6:6.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level c . Local level
Comments: All elections covered by Election Law of BiH.
CEC shall, conduct all election activities for the elections for the members of the Presidency of BiH and the members of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH; verify and certify the lists of candidates and the candidates for all levels of direct and
indirect elections in BiH covered by this law
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina: art. 2.9.
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments: Article 1.2a: The Budget of the Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina (hereinafter: the BiH budget) shall provide for the cost and expense for the conduct of elections by the Central Election Commission of BiH referred to in Article 2.9 and Article 2.19, Paragraph 12 of this Law.
Constitution: Legislation has responsibility for adopting the budget of the Federation
In line with the 2024 amendments, the CEC is now enabled to control its own budget by being authorized to submit a budget
request without it being altered by the Ministry of Finance
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 1.2 http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Constitution: Constitution of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 4, sec.4.
http://www.ccbh.ba/osnovni-akti/ustav/?title=clan-4
ODIHR NEEDS ASSESSMENT MISSION REPORT 20-23 May 2024,Section D Election Administration.
https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/7/7/574436.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina: art. 2:9:16.
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
b . For a specified number of years
Comments: For a term of 7 years.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina: art. 2:4 (amended 2008)
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
b . Independent
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 2.9.
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2018/11/14
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
a . 1 - 10 members (specify)
Comments: Article 2.5: The Central Election Commission of BiH shall consist of seven (7) members: two (2) Croats, two (2) Bosniacs, two (2) Serbs, and one (1) other member.
Source: Electoral Law: Election law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 2.5.
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
b . Expertise
Comments: The nominees for the Central Election Commission of BiH shall be jointly nominated by the members of the Commission for Selection and Nomination. The Central Election Commission of BiH nominees shall be legal experts with experience in the administration of elections and/or electoral experts and may not hold any office in the bodies of a political party, association or foundations organizationally or financially related to the political party, and may not be involved in any political party activity.
Source: Electoral Law: Election law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 2.5 (2)
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
c . Executive e . Legislature f . Judiciary
Comments: Commission for Selection and Nomination shall have seven members out of whom two shall be appointed by the President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council from amongst members of the Council, three members shall be appointed by the Administrative Commission from amongst members of the Commission from the House of Representatives of Parliamentary Assembly of BiH and two shall be appointed by the President of the Central Election Commission of BiH from amongst members of the Central Election Commission of Bosnian Herzegovina.
Source: Electoral Law: Election law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 2.5 (3)
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body c . Local/County Electoral Management Bodies i . Media
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 2.9(12), 2.13 (5), 16.9
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
b . Election time only
Comments:
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina General Elections on 12 October 2014, Warsaw 7 January 2015
https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/bih/133511?download=true
Verified: 2025/06/23
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
b . Yes, conducted by the National Electoral Management Body j . Yes, conducted by the Media
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina: art. 16.9
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina General Elections on 12 October 2014, Warsaw 7 January 2015
https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/bih/133511?download=true
Verified: 2018/11/14
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: Each citizen of BiH who has attained eighteen (18) years of age shall have the right to vote and to be elected (hereinafter, right to vote) pursuant to this law
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 1.4 (1)
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. art. 1.4 (1)
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
d . Election Management Body (specify)
Comments: The Central Voters Register shall be made and maintained on the basis of data from official records on permanent and temporary residence of citizens of BiH maintained by a competent State authority, from other public identification documents and official records on citizens of BiH maintained by the Central Election Commission of BIH and other competent authorities and on the basis of public documents and data received directly from citizens.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 3.3
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Everyone over 18 is entered automatically
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, arts. 3.1-3
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Signature requirement (specify requirement) f . Other
Comments: a) different number of signatures for different levels
b) different amount for different levels
f) Signed statement that the party will abide by the GFAP in BiH, and the Elec-tion Law. GFAP is The General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Initiated in Dayton on 21 November 1995 and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995).
A political party or independent candidate shall enclose a proof that the government stamps have been paid with its application for certification in the amount determined by the Central Election Commission of BiH for every election.
Every candidates list shall include candidates of male and female gender, who are equally represented. The equal representation of the genders shall exist in case when one of the genders is represented with minimum of 40% of the total number of candidates on the list.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 1.13, 4.4 and 4.16. https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship f . Registration
Comments: Each citizen of BiH who has attained eighteen (18) years of age shall have the right to vote and to be elected (hereinafter, right to vote) pursuant to this law.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art.1.4, 4.1-11.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, arts. 4.1-4.4, 4.9-4.10. http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/26
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct c . Indirect
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Law on the Financing of Political Parties of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 3.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/23
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
a . Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance b . Based on result of previous election e . Other
Comments: The funds from the budget are allocated to political parties, namely to the coalitions of political parties in the manner that:
a) 30% of the total amount of funds is equally distributed to all political parties, namely
the coalitions of political parties that won the mandate,
b) 60% of the total amount is distributed equivalent to the number of delegates' mandates that each political party, coalition of political parties, and/or independent candidate hold at the time of allocation.
c) 10% of the total amount is distributed to parliamentary groups proportional to the number of seats belonging to less represented gender
Source: Electoral Law: Law on the Financing of Political Parties of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 7.
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Law on the Financing of Political Parties of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 15.1.
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/23
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments: All ballots shall be counted at the Polling Stations, except where the Central Election
Commission of BiH determines that ballots should be counted at one or more Main centers
for counting.
Absentee and By-Mail ballots are counted both in the Main Counting Center.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Art. 5.22, 5.24, 5.25 and 5.28.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/26
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
d . By request f . Other
Comments:
Source: Election Law, Article 5.30
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/26
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
a . Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance g . Other (specify)
Comments: In broadcasts of the electronic media, no political entity shall have a privileged position with respect to another political entity.
The regulations of the Central Election Commission of BIH shall determine the amount of broadcast time to be allocated to the political entities, the broadcast time and duration of the broadcast, as well as the geographic regions covered by the broadcasts.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chapter 16., 16.3, 16.14(4)
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/26
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
a . Yes, in presidential elections b . Yes, in legislative elections
Comments: In the 2014 elections, there were only a few discussion programs in which all key candidates participated, and these discussions were for the most part not substantive.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina General Elections, 13 October 2014, Warsaw 7 January 2015, p. 16 https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/bih/133511?download=true
Verified: 2014/10/11
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
b . 2-3 days
Comments: 48 hours.
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Art. 16.10.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/26
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
c . No information available
Comments: No, although campaign spending in general is limited
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Art. 15.9.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/26
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The level of applicability of these laws might be disputable. The laws were adopted when Bosnia and Herzegovina was a federal unit of Socialistic Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, which means that the scope and aims of referendum were adjusted to that system. However, the existing Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed as a part of the Dayton Peace Agreement, prescribes in its Annex 2, point 2 ("Continuation of Laws") that "All laws, regulations, and judicial rules of procedure in effect within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina when the Constitution enters into force shall remain in effect to the extent not inconsistent with the Constitution, until otherwise determined by a competent governmental body of Bosnia and Herzegovina". Even though these laws were created in the old, socialistic system, it does not contain any obvious and clear inconsistencies with the Constitution and therefore - they should be valid.
There is no mention of the Rules of Procedure in either chamber of parliament. There is, however, a mention of the register being used for referendums.
Source: Law on referendum in SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Off. Gazette 29/77 and 24/91; Law on Proceedings with Petitions and Proposals Off. Gazette 33/77, 12/87 and 27/90; Rules of Procedures of House of Representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2025/06/26
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: No mention in the Constitution.
There is no mention of the Rules of Procedure in either chamber of parliament. There is, however, a mention of the register being used for referendums.
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2025/06/26
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The level of applicability of this laws might be disputable. The law was adopted when Bosnia and Herzegovina was a federal unit of Socialistic Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, which means that the scope and aims of referendum were adjusted to that system. However, the existing Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed as a part of the Dayton Peace Agreement, prescribes in its Annex 2, point 2 ("Continuation of Laws") that "All laws, regulations, and judicial rules of procedure in effect within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina when the Constitution enters into force shall remain in effect to the extent not inconsistent with the Constitution, until otherwise determined by a competent governmental body of Bosnia and Herzegovina". Even though the Law on Referendum was created in the old, socialistic system, it does not contain any obvious and clear inconsistencies with the Constitution and therefore - it should be valid. In 2016 in Republica Srpska, a referendum on keeping a state holiday was presented to voters (turnout of 56-60%). The amendment went against the BiH Supreme Court.(See https://www.rferl.org/a/balkan-tensions-rise-as-bosnian-serbs-push-ahead-with-banned-referendum/28010813.html)
There is no mention of the Rules of Procedure in either chamber of parliament. There is, however, a mention of the register being used for referendums.
Source: Law on referendum in SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Off. Gazette 29/77 and 24/91
"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2025/06/26
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The level of applicability of this laws might be disputable. The law was adopted when Bosnia and Herzegovina was a federal unit of Socialistic Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, which means that the scope and aims of referendum were adjusted to that system. However, the existing Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, signed as a part of the Dayton Peace Agreement, prescribes in its Annex 2, point 2 ("Continuation of Laws") that "All laws, regulations, and judicial rules of procedure in effect within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina when the Constitution enters into force shall remain in effect to the extent not inconsistent with the Constitution, until otherwise determined by a competent governmental body of Bosnia and Herzegovina". Even though the law was created in the old, socialistic system, it does not contain any obvious and clear inconsistencies with the Constitution and therefore - it should be valid.
According to the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives, "citizens may submit an initiative for amendments and/or amendments to the law proposers"
Source: Law on Proceedings with Petitions and Proposals Off. Gazette 33/77, 12/87 and 27/90; Rules of Procedures of House of Representatives in the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 104 sec. 3.
"Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2025/06/26
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: No mention in the constitution. There is no mention of the Rules of Procedure in either chamber of parliament or the electoral laws, either.
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2025/06/26
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: BUT in BiH Draft Law on Amendments to the Election Law Article 3,7 Central Election Commission of BIH may issue excerpt from the Central Voter Register also for other constituencies where elections will be conducted, in the case of a recall of the elected official and to conduct referendum, on the basis of data contained in the
Central Voter Register.
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 3.1.
http://izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version_2018.pdf
Verified: 2025/06/26
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
b . Sometimes binding
Comments: Once the legislative body reaches decision to organise a referendum, its final result is binding. Initiatives can be included in an agenda of the session of Parliamentary Committee, which will be decided by the members of that Committee (further, it can also be discussed at the plenary session of the Parliament).
Source: "Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook", (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2025/06/26
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2025/06/26
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: Not mentioned in the constitution
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) (http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm)
Verified: 2025/06/26
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
a . At a specified polling station in the locality where they are registered at national elections d . At specially designated polling stations f . By mail i . By tendered ballot
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 5.12, 5.21, 5.22.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/26
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country c . Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation) d . Members of the armed forces e . Students f . Diplomatic staff g . Other
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 1.5, 3.15, 20.8.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/26
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates e . By mail
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, art. 1.5, 5.21.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/26
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments:
Source: Electoral Law: Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Article 5.14.
https://www.izbori.ba/Documents/documents/ZAKONI/BiH_Election_Law_last_consolidated_version.pdf?v-4 (2024)
Verified: 2025/06/26
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