The Council of Europe is helping Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthen electoral integrity and build public trust in democratic processes in line with European standards as part of the second phase of the project “Supporting transparency, inclusiveness and integrity of electoral practice and processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina” launched today.

Through the implementation of the project’s activities, the Council of Europe will support the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CEC BiH) in enhancing its role, improving the professionalism of election administration, and expanding voter education. Special focus will be placed on the inclusiveness of the electoral process, especially for women, young people, and vulnerable groups.

The project will also aim at increasing participation in elections through wide education and promotional campaigns, as well as support to media in strengthening their monitoring and reporting on elections, ensuring a balanced and transparent coverage throughout the electoral process in line with European standards.

“The Council of Europe has long supported electoral reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, helping to put European standards into practice. We remain committed to working closely with the Central Election Commission and other institutions, civil society, and the media to build a stronger and more trusted electoral system,” said Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, Vahagn Muradyan.

Chairwoman of the BiH CEC Irena Hadžiabdić underscored the importance of the Council of Europe’s support in making elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina fairer, more transparent, and more inclusive.

The project held its first Steering Committee meeting today in Sarajevo. The Steering Committee includes representatives of the Council of Europe and the BiH Central Election Commission. Representatives from international and non-government organisations as well as from the media will take part as observers. The Committee will guide the project, ensure transparency, and promote strong cooperation among all partners.

As part of the project, the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the OSCE, will support the Central Election Commission in organising the central conference of election management bodies “Local Elections 2024 – Lessons for the Future.” Taking place in Sarajevo on 24 and 25 of April, the conference will provide a platform to assess the recent local elections, identify key challenges and lessons learned, in view of further improving the electoral process ahead of the 2026 general elections.

The project, “Supporting transparency, inclusiveness and integrity of electoral practice and processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Phase II,” is funded by voluntary contributions from Council of Europe member states under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025. It is scheduled to run until the end of November 2026.