On August 6, the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina—the country’s top electoral authority, responsible for organizing elections and enforcing electoral and transparency laws—revoked the mandate of Milorad Dodik as President of Republika Srpska (RS), Bosnia’s Serb-majority entity.
This action follows the confirmation in August of Dodik’s one-year prison sentence and subsequent six-year prohibition on holding that office, after he refused to implement decisions from High Representative Christian Schmidt, followed by RS parliament moves to limit national political authority in the autonomous entity. Despite a binding veto by High Representative Christian Schmidt, Dodik pressed ahead with the legislative process.
Under Bosnia’s electoral legislation, any official handed a prison term exceeding six months is automatically removed from office. The Central Election Commission’s decision is subject to appeal within two days before the Appellate Division of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. If the decision is confirmed on appeal, the Commission will schedule early elections to fill the presidency within 90 days.
Republika Srpska’s National Assembly has already pledged to defend the entity’s institutions and maintain Dodik’s political agenda until the judicial procedures are exhausted.