Bosnia’s judiciary has delivered a final verdict in the case against Milorad Dodik, setting in motion a series of legal and political procedures that could lead to early elections in Republika Srpska (RS).
Dodik’s defense plans to appeal first to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and subsequently to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. However, these appeals do not delay the immediate legal consequences following the verdict.
Vehid Šehić, chairman of the Strategic Board of the coalition “Under the Magnifying Glass,” told Federal Television’s Dnevnik 2 that the Central Election Commission (CIK) of Bosnia and Herzegovina is legally obliged to act swiftly.
“The Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina must urgently submit its final decision to the Central Election Commission because the law sets specific deadlines. Since Dodik has received a prison sentence exceeding six months, his mandate automatically ends by law. The CIK will then decide to terminate Dodik’s mandate as RS president and is obliged to call for early elections to fill the position,” Šehić said.
CIK Chair Irena Hadžiabdić has not specified when the commission will make a formal decision but noted that there is a subsequent appeals process during which the mandate termination can be challenged.
Šehić emphasized that “CIK’s decision to end the mandate is mandatory and based on the court’s final verdict. There is little room for appeal on this administrative decision.”
He also expressed hope that all parties, including Dodik, will respect the court rulings despite recent resistance.
Dodik has publicly rejected the idea of early elections, which legally fall under the CIK’s authority to organize after his mandate ends. When asked if RS institutions might block CIK’s decision, Dodik said the electoral process requires forming election boards, securing funding, and preparing materials—all statutory requirements. He added, “I don’t know what will happen next. Hopefully, everything will proceed smoothly.”
Šehić warned that authorities monitoring Dodik’s compliance with protective measures outside of imprisonment hold responsibility to ensure enforcement of the court’s decision.
“There will be accountability for anyone obstructing the election process,” he said.