With Bosnia and Herzegovina's 2026 General Elections approaching, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Civil Society BiH today brought together election officials, civil society, media, academia and international partners to discuss new election technologies, electoral integrity and the importance of a peaceful and democratic election campaign.
The conference, "What Can We Expect from the 2026 Elections? New Electoral Technologies, Election Integrity, and a Democratic Election Campaign," takes place one day before the official campaign begins and one month ahead of Election Day on 4 October.
For the first time, the General Elections will involve biometric voter identification and authentication, as well as ballot scanners and electronic transmission of election results. The Mission has worked closely with the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CEC BiH) in supporting preparations for the introduction of these technologies, alongside its broader support for electoral integrity and voter education.
"These new technologies will make the electoral process more accurate, transparent and efficient, but it is not just technology alone that builds public confidence in election results," said Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. "Confidence also depends on how elections are administered, observed, reported and explained to voters. All those involved, institutions, political parties, observers, civil society and the media, have a responsibility to contribute to an electoral process that citizens can trust."
"Despite strong support from international organizations and individual global powers for electoral integrity, democratic campaigning, and the building of a democratic society, and, to a certain extent, the introduction of new technologies, the responsibility for the integrity of the electoral process lies primarily with the politicians. They must demonstrate whether they are all finally committed to progress, democracy, and the European path, or if some still wish to continue with the undemocratic and corrupt practices of the past," said Laura Bošnjak, Project Manager of Civil Society BiH. "It is the citizens who elect them; therefore, those citizens must recognize serious platforms, turn out to vote in the largest possible numbers, and decide to whom they will entrust their future and what that future will look like.
Participants also discussed the responsibility of political parties to conduct a peaceful, constructive and substantive campaign focused on issues affecting citizens, rather than divisive rhetoric and narratives that heighten ethno-national tensions. Particular attention was given to the participation of first-time voters and to the importance of accurate voter information about the new voting procedures.
The OSCE Mission to BiH and Civil Society BiH call on all eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote on 4 October 2026, to seek information from reliable sources and to reject divisive rhetoric and misinformation. They also call on political parties and candidates to offer voters a peaceful, issue-based campaign focused on concrete solutions and the future of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
