Electoral Reform Initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s electoral system, established by the Dayton Peace Agreement and the Election Law of BiH, has faced challenges due to the complex balance between the principle of constituent peoples and international standards. The Constitution of BiH only briefly mentions elections, while the Election Law provides a detailed electoral framework. This law, developed under international pressure, especially from the OSCE, the High Representative, and the Venice Commission, has been repeatedly amended by the High Representative and the Constitutional Court of BiH to align with democratic standards and the EU accession process. However, these amendments have largely bypassed the BiH Parliament, raising concerns about democratic legitimacy and the rule of law. This paper explores the lack of parliamentary input in electoral reform initiatives, the role of the Constitutional Court of BiH in electoral reforms, and the prominent role of the High Representative, as well as its broader implications for democracy and the rule of law in BiH.