CIK BiH prepares new election technologies for October 4 polls

The Central Election Commission (CIK) of Bosnia and Herzegovina has announced that preparations for the general elections on October 4, 2026, are proceeding according to plan. All ballot scanners have arrived in the country, with distribution to local commissions scheduled to begin on September 27. Key technical activities currently underway include device configuration, testing, printing and controlling ballot papers, and QR code verification.

The implementation of new technologies, including biometric voter identification and ballot scanners, is being managed in collaboration with suppliers Smartmatic BH d. o. o. and DSC d. o. o. Smartmatic BVI. CIK noted that progress has been made despite challenges such as late contract conclusions and procurement obstructions. The OSCE Mission to BiH and various NGOs are also providing support to strengthen capacity.

However, the coalition ‘Pod lupom’ has issued warnings regarding the readiness of election administration. The group stated that many election commissions and operators lack sufficient training, noting that initial sessions were primarily theoretical and lacked practical application. They warned that insufficient training could lead to voting delays, long queues, and voter uncertainty, potentially undermining public trust in the new technological reforms.