Press Releases

Sarajevo, 3 October 2024 – The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina has announced the continuation of its successful collaboration with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, aimed at promoting youth participation in political processes. To achieve this goal, we have jointly developed a Viber chatbot for the 2024 Local Elections. This innovative tool, previously utilized during the 2020 Local Elections and the 2022 General Elections, has proven to be an effective source of information for voters, providing them with quick and easy access to essential details regarding the election process. The primary objective extends beyond the chatbot itself; it seeks to empower young people, particularly first-time voters, and encourage their active involvement in decision-making processes.

“The Viber chatbot has proven to be an invaluable tool through which voters can receive timely and accurate information about the elections. Given the positive experiences from previous election cycles, we believe that this tool is crucial for enhancing transparency and informing citizens in the election process,” stated Dr. Irena Hadžiabdić, President of the Central Election Commission.

The Viber chatbot aims to provide young voters, particularly those voting for the first time in BiH, with all the necessary information and guidance related to the upcoming Local Elections. Additionally, the chatbot offers citizens the means to verify their registration on the voter list. It also provides detailed instructions on the proper voting process and procedures, as well as information about all candidates in every municipality across BiH.

“As part of our global mission to support the full participation of youth in their communities, UNFPA encourages all young individuals to exercise their right to vote and contribute to building a society that recognizes and utilizes their knowledge and skills. A recent UNFPA survey among young people living in BiH revealed that 78% believe they are likely to vote. The chatbot tool, jointly developed by the Central Election Commission and UNFPA, makes information on how to participate in the local elections more accessible to younger voters and supports their engagement in democratic processes,” stated Justine Coulson, UNFPA Representative for BiH.

Furthermore, the chatbot provides detailed information on legitimate channels for reporting any electoral irregularities, and citizens can verify their registration on the voter list. It offers comprehensive instructions on the process and procedures for proper voting, as well as information about all candidates.

This user-friendly tool is accessible by entering the keyword “Izbori” (Elections) in the Viber search. If the chatbot has been used previously, it is recommended to delete the prior chat before re-entering through the search to ensure access to the most up-to-date information.

For further inquiries, please contact the Central Election Commission of BiH electronically via e-mail [email protected] or by phone at 033 251 323.