A WEB

To improve the integrity of elections through consistent and comprehensive voter education targeting different audiences across Bosnia and Herzegovina, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina continued to support the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CEC BiH) in organizing CEC Open Days educational sessions for a total of 567 first-time voters. The sessions were held in Konjic, Livno, Brčko, Zenica, Goražde, Sarajevo and Bihać, in the period from February to March 2026, as part of broader efforts to strengthen public confidence in electoral processes ahead of the 2026 General Elections. Dr. Suad Arnautović, member of the BiH CEC delivered a lecture and practical exercises to the participants.

The sessions were organized in partnership with high schools and universities and included interactive presentations on voting procedures, as well as simulations of election technologies. These simulations enabled participants to go through the full voting process, from voter identification to ballot casting using biometric identification devices and optical scanners, providing hands-on experience and reducing uncertainty among first-time voters. 

Special focus was placed on students aged 18–25 at selected educational institutions across BiH. This approach is particularly relevant given that youth turnout in Bosnia and Herzegovina has traditionally been low, and young voters often lack basic knowledge about electoral procedures, which can discourage participation. 

The evaluation was conducted on a sample of 38% of participants (215 out of 567). Over 93% indicated that their understanding of the electoral process improved after the workshop. Almost 83% of students stated that such workshops help increase voter turnout among young people, while 65% stated they plan to vote in the 2026 General Elections.

The sessions aim to motivate first-time voters to exercise their fundamental civic right to vote, while also increasing their knowledge of the electoral system and voting procedures in BiH. The educational sessions included an introduction to the historical development of elections, the institutional and legal framework of the BiH electoral system, and practical simulations using election technologies such as biometric voter identification and optical scanners with direct transmission of results.

These activities also aimed to inspire and encourage young voters to apply for positions as operators of election technologies, as well as for roles on Polling Station Committees (PSCs) during the 2026 General Elections, thereby contributing to the professionalization and transparency of election administration. This aligns with broader OSCE/ODIHR recommendations emphasizing the need to strengthen training, professionalism, and integrity of election management bodies. 

Furthermore, voter education initiatives such as these respond directly to long-standing challenges identified in international observation reports, including insufficient public engagement, limited outreach to specific groups, and a lack of resources for comprehensive voter education campaigns. At the same time, improving voter awareness is recognized as a key factor in increasing voter turnout and strengthening democratic legitimacy, as emphasized by OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

During this exercise, a total of 1,203 students, or 66.66% of the planned 1,800 participants, attended the workshops, contributing to the overall objective of improving electoral integrity, increasing trust in the electoral process, and fostering long-term democratic resilience in Bosnia and Herzegovina.