Voters from the diaspora are less and less likely to register to vote in elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Vehid Šehić, president of the Strategic Committee of the “Under Scrutiny” Coalition and former member of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, believes that a significant part of the responsibility for such a situation lies with the political parties.
According to his assessment, the low number of registered voters from abroad for the 2026 General Election is a consequence of citizens’ loss of trust in political parties, but also the fact that pre-election communication is less and less based on concrete programs.
The number of BiH citizens who live abroad and use the possibility of voting by mail has been continuously decreasing since 2002. Citizens outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina can exercise their right to vote by voting by mail, by voting in diplomatic and consular missions or by arriving in BiH on election day.
Šehić believes that political parties should have a more important role in motivating citizens to participate in the election process. Instead of concrete programs and solutions, the campaign, in his opinion, often boils down to political conflicts and discrediting opponents, which further distances citizens from the elections.
The low turnout of voters from the diaspora is considered a worrying figure, especially considering the large number of BiH citizens living outside the country. Some of them, as stated, no longer believe that they can influence changes in Bosnia and Herzegovina with their vote, while some of the voters participate less and less in political processes in their homeland due to living in other countries.
The problem of voting from abroad was further burdened by previous irregularities. From 2002 to 2022, numerous cases of abuse were recorded during the registration of voters for voting by mail, which is why the procedures were tightened over time.
In previous election cycles, the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina introduced additional security mechanisms and changed by-laws in order to reduce the scope for abuse. Šehić emphasizes that the CEC’s task is to legally conduct the election process, while motivating citizens to go to the polls is the responsibility of political parties and their relationship with voters.
The application of new technologies could, according to his assessment, contribute to restoring confidence in the electoral process. Electronic voter identification should reduce the possibility of abuses and increase the security of voting, which could have a positive effect on turnout in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Registration of voters from the diaspora for the 2026 General Election lasts until July 21. Citizens living outside BiH must submit an application for voting from abroad for each election cycle.
General elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina are scheduled for October 4. Voters will elect members of the Presidency of BiH, deputies in the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, deputies in the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, deputies in the cantonal assemblies and deputies in the National Assembly of the Republika Srpska, writes RTV Slon.
