Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Central Election Commission (CIK) on Tuesday voted unanimously to strip Milorad Dodik of his mandate as President of Republika Srpska, following a court ruling sentencing him to one year in prison and a six-year ban from holding public office.
The decision came after the state court’s final ruling, which found Dodik guilty of defying the authority of the international High Representative by refusing to implement his decisions in Republika Srpska, a Serb-majority entity within Bosnia.
CIK said its decision was taken in accordance with Bosnia’s Election Law, which obliges the commission to revoke a mandate within 15 days of receiving a binding court ruling involving imprisonment and a ban on public office.
“We are acting under the force of law. We had no choice,” CIK member Suad Arnautović told reporters, noting that the decision remains subject to appeal before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following the decision, Dodik, a key political figure in Bosnian Serb politics for over two decades, posted on social media platform X: “Just another piece of crap from Sarajevo. The last one.” In a separate post earlier in the day, he quoted the oath of office, suggesting he remained defiant: “I swear to perform my duty conscientiously and responsibly…”
Mirjana Orašanin, an opposition MP in the Republika Srpska parliament from the Serb Democratic Party (SDS), welcomed the decision, declaring: “The era of Milorad Dodik is over! He is leaving with pockets full, but without ever being held accountable for the corruption, destroyed public companies, and the financial and demographic decline of Republika Srpska.”
Ruling Party and Allies Condemn the Move
The Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), led by Dodik, rejected the court ruling and CIK’s move. On Monday, the party’s main board declared the verdict “illegitimate” and vowed to oppose any snap elections.
Željka Cvijanović, Bosnian Serb member of the tripartite presidency and SNSD vice-president, condemned the decision: “Republika Srpska is democratic. Our representatives are elected and removed by the people, not by courts or political constructs. We will not allow the humiliation of our institutions or our people.”
Nenad Stevandić, Speaker of the Republika Srpska Assembly, claimed the decision would only strengthen the entity: “Milorad Dodik is no longer just a person — he is now a symbol of Republika Srpska’s political identity.”
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić dismissed speculation that Dodik could be arrested if he enters Serbia: “No, he will not be arrested. Milorad Dodik is welcome in Serbia. He was legitimately and legally elected as president.”
Serbian Defence Minister Miloš Vučević echoed support, calling the mandate revocation “a disgraceful act by dishonorable people” and an attack on the Serbs’ right to elect their leaders.
Background to the Ruling
The legal case stems from July 2023, when Republika Srpska’s parliament passed a law rejecting the authority of the High Representative, whose decisions are binding under the Dayton Peace Agreement. Despite the law being annulled by High Representative Christian Schmidt, Dodik signed it into effect. Schmidt later amended the Bosnian Criminal Code to make non-compliance with his decisions a criminal offense.
The court found Dodik guilty of deliberately ignoring the ruling and convicted him, along with the director of the Republika Srpska Official Gazette, Miloš Lukić.
Under electoral law, CIK is now expected to call early elections for the Republika Srpska presidency within 90 days, unless Dodik’s appeal overturns the ruling.
Despite the legal proceedings, Dodik’s political future remains uncertain. As of Tuesday afternoon, he wrote a cryptic message on X: “What if I refuse?”
The CIK session that removed Dodik’s mandate was not broadcast publicly. Officials cited technical issues with broadcasting equipment, which they said had been non-functional for months.