The Office for Review of Appeals of Bosnia and Herzegovina rejected the appeal of the company “Planet Soft” from Banja Luka on the decision of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the most favorable bidder for the procurement of election technologies. There remains one more appeal in the Office that needs to be considered so that the procurement process can continue.
After the CEC made a decision that “Smartmatic” was the most favorable bidder for the procurement of election technologies, three companies complained.
“Planet Soft” from Banja Luka said in the appeal that they are dissatisfied with the decision to be disqualified from the procurement process considering that they submitted the most favorable offer. However, the BiH Complaints Review Office rejected their requests yesterday afternoon.
The Office officially replied to Klix.ba’s question that the appeal was considered yesterday, but that everything has not yet been fully completed. However, according to unofficial information from Klix.ba, which was verified from several sources in the Appeals Review Office, the members definitely voted on the “Planet Soft” appeal yesterday, it was rejected and now it is necessary to write it and send it to the Central Election Commission.
The company “Artco Group” d.o.o. from Sarajevo withdrew its complaint shortly after sending it, therefore the Review Office has one more complaint to consider before continuing with the process of procurement of election technologies. It is about the complaint of the company “Provis” from Bijeljina.
If this appeal is also rejected, the CEC will be able to conclude a contract with the American company “Smartmatic”, which has extensive experience in the procurement of election technologies for different countries, without legal obstacles.
Whether the scanners and other equipment will be fully ready for the 2026 General Elections depends on a number of factors, given that companies have the right to appeal to the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the decision of the Appeals Review Office. In addition, the CEC still has to complete this complicated public procurement, and the company that is chosen must deliver the equipment on time. The CEC must also train people to work on that equipment so that everything works well on election day.
Holding elections this year with the help of election technology is also planned in the Election Law of BiH, which was amended by High Representative Christian Schmidt, and pilot projects were carried out in the last local elections, he writes. Klix.
