More than 500 young people from across Bosnia and Herzegovina have successfully completed interactive workshops as part of the voter outreach campaign "First Time Voters - The Electoral System of Bosnia and Herzegovina," jointly implemented by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The workshops were conducted in Konjic, Livno, Brčko, Zenica, Goražde, Sarajevo and Bihać, during the period from 12 February to 30 March 2026, with the aim of strengthening young people's knowledge, awareness, and trust in the electoral process. By preparing first-time voters ahead of the October 2026 General Elections, the campaign complements broader efforts to reinforce public confidence in elections.
The campaign was designed to provide young voters not only with a theoretical understanding of the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also with hands-on experience in participating in elections. In addition to covering the development of elections and the key elements of the electoral system, special emphasis was placed on the practical component of the workshop, helping participants understand how electoral procedures and safeguards support the credibility of democratic institutions.
Through a voting simulation exercise, participants had the opportunity to go through the entire voting process, from voter identification to casting a ballot using election technologies, i.e. biometric identification devices and optical ballot scanners, thereby preparing in a realistic way for their first participation in elections. This segment proved to be essential in building young voters' confidence and reducing uncertainties that often accompany a first encounter with electoral procedures. Familiarity with these technologies also promotes transparency in how votes are administered and counted.
Suad Arnautović, educator and member of the Central Election Commission of BiH, said that young people across Bosnia and Herzegovina are interested in participating in elections but often lack basic knowledge about the voting process, and that the campaign seeks to address this while encouraging greater youth engagement. "As a lecturer, I had the opportunity to talk with young people across Bosnia and Herzegovina and noticed that they want to participate in the electoral process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Statistics have shown for years that youth turnout in Bosnia and Herzegovina is low, which leads to political parties rarely focusing in their programs on issues important to young people."
"The aim of this campaign is to empower young people to actively and knowledgeably participate in democratic processes. Through education and practical exercises, we seek to bring the electoral system closer to them and build trust in the integrity of elections," said Ahmed Rifatbegović, Political Officer at the OSCE Mission to BiH. Informed participation of new voters contributes to longer-term democratic resilience, which underpins peace and stability. The campaign "First Time Voters - The Electoral System of Bosnia and Herzegovina" was implemented across the country as part of the initiative "Enhancing the Integrity of Electoral Processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024 and 2026 in line with ODIHR recommendations and international standards," with financial support from the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Kingdom of Norway. This links voter education with ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity and credibility of election administration bodies at all levels.
