Bosnians vote on Sunday for the tripartite presidency and national parliament, in a decisive election for closer ties with the EU

Voters in Bosnia and Herzegovina are voting on Sunday for the tripartite presidency, the national parliament and the legislatures of the two federal entities, in an election that could influence the country’s European path and the balance between the United States and Russia in the Balkans. Preliminary results are expected after the polls close at 20:00, Romanian time.

The election is taking place against a backdrop of frustration caused by economic stagnation, slow negotiations for accession to the European Union and a prolonged political crisis. Bosnia was granted candidate status in December 2022 and the green light to open negotiations in 2024, but they have not begun due to the failure to meet essential conditions, including strengthening judicial oversight and adopting anti-corruption legislation.

The race includes the dominant ethnic parties — SDA, SNSD and HDZ BiH — and multiethnic opposition coalitions led by the Social Democratic Party. In Republika Srpska, the SNSD party, associated with secessionist leader Milorad Dodik, is leading in the polls and supports close ties with Serbia and Russia.

The current political system dates back to the Dayton Agreement, which ended the 1992-1995 war and divided the country into Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Redesigned ballots, biometric identification and electronic scanners are being introduced to reduce electoral fraud.