The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CEC BiH; , , ) is the administrative body responsible for regulating and supervising the election process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The CEC also oversees the work of local and regional election commissions, which regulate the electoral process in lower administrative units.
History Establishment The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) ceased to exist after the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina at a session of the House of Representatives held on 21 August 2001, and at a session of the House of Peoples held on 23 August 2001. The Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina was thus established, assuming the previous tasks carried out by the PEC.
On 16 November 2001, the High Representative appointed members of the Election Commission from the list proposed by the Provisional Commission for Appointments which consisted of members of the Commission for Electing and Appointing Judges of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and international members of the Election Commission.
The following persons were appointed as members of the Election Commission: Branko Petrić, representative of the Serbs, Lidija Korać, representative of the Croats people, Hilmo Pašić, representative of the Bosniaks, Vehid Šehić, representative of the Others and Robert S. Beecroft, Gerhard Enver Schrönbergs and Ambassador Victor Tkachenko, representatives of the International community.
First and second sessions The constitutional first session of the Election Commission was held on 20 November 2001, and thus the Provisional Election Commission officially ceased to exist. A decision on establishing the Secretariat of the Election Commission was passed at the same session. The Secretariat conducts professional and administrative-technical duties for the Election Commission, the Complaints and Appeals Council and the Appellative Council.
At the second session of the Election Commission held on 27 November 2001, Lidija Korać was elected its first president. The Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted its Rules of Procedure at the same session.
Rotation procedure At 46th session of the Election Commission held on 27 February 2003, a rotation procedure on the office of president of this institution was made. Hilmo Pašić was elected second president and Vehid Šehić was elected third president. Since 1 January 2024, Irena Hadžiabdić has served as president of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Pursuant to Article 2.6 of the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the President of the Central Election Commission is appointed from amongst its members. Each member of the Central Election Commission, a Croat, a Bosniak, a Serb and a representative of the Others, shall perform the duty of the president of the Central Election Commission according to the rotation principle, once in seven (7) years for the period of twenty-one (21) months.
The Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina changed its name to the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina in April 2006.
Members The current members of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina are:
Irena Hadžiabdić, president Vlado Rogić, member Ahmet Šantić, member Jovan Kalaba, member Vanja Bjelica-Prutina, member Željko Bakalar, member Suad Arnautović, member
List of presidents At the 46th session of the Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held on 27 February 2003, the rotation procedure on the office of president of this institution was made. NameMandateLidija Korać27 November 2001 – 27 February 2003Hilmo Pašić27 February 2003 – 20 May 2004Vehid Šehić20 May 2004 – 18 August 2005Branko Petrić18 August 2005 – 16 November 2006Stjepan Mikić16 November 2006 – 15 February 2008Suad Arnautović15 February 2008 – 8 May 2009Irena Hadžiabdić8 May 2009 – 29 September 2011Branko Petrić29 September 2011 – 26 June 2013Stjepan Mikić26 June 2013 – 31 March 2015Ahmet Šantić31 March 2015 – 1 January 2017Irena Hadžiabdić1 January 2017 – 31 September 2018Branko Petrić1 October 2018 – 11 May 2020Vanja Bjelica-Prutina16 May 2020 – 31 June 2020Željko Bakalar1 July 2020 – 29 March 2022Suad Arnautović30 March 2022 – 31 December 2024Irena Hadžiabdić1 January 2024 – 1 October 2025Jovan Kalaba1 October 2025 – Incumbent
See also Politics of Bosnia and Herzegovina Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina Elections in Republika Srpska
References
External links Website of the Central Election Commission in English