CEC BiH Announces Public Procurement for Biometric Voter Identification and Ballot Scanning System

(Patria) - The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on November 14, 2025, announced a public procurement call through the Public Procurement Portal of Bosnia and Herzegovina ( https://www.ejn.gov.ba/ ) for the procurement of a system for biometric voter identification and scanning of ballots at polling stations.

This procurement is part of a multi-year project to introduce specific electoral technologies into the election process, for which the Central Election Commission of BiH, after conducting pilot projects during the 2024 Local Elections and preparing a feasibility study, has been allocated 112.5 million KM by decision of the High Representative.

At its session held on 07/30/2025, the Commission made a decision on the implementation of this project, and at the session on 10/09/2025, a decision was made on the specific procurement of the biometric identification and ballot scanning system.

A multi-member commission has been formed to prepare and implement this complex procedure, which, with the continuous support of domestic and international experts, has diligently prepared the complete tender documentation. The planned procurement includes the delivery of equipment, its installation and configuration, as well as training for the entire system intended for biometric voter identification and scanning of ballots at 6,000 polling stations. Within this project, the procurement of devices for identification and scanning, software licenses, consumables, technical support, production and printing of ballots adapted to the devices, ballot boxes with integrated scanners, and external batteries is foreseen.

Procurement services will also include the transport of equipment to polling stations and its return to the warehouse, as well as training of trainers and election administration for the efficient use and management of the devices.

The estimated value of the procurement is approximately 75.2 million KM excluding VAT, or about 88 million KM including VAT. The procurement will be conducted through an open procedure, and the contract will be concluded for a period of four years with the most favorable bidder. The tender documentation is available until December 9, 2025, while the deadline for submitting bids is December 30, 2025, by 2:00 PM, and the opening of bids is planned for the same day at 2:15 PM.

The Central Election Commission of BiH emphasizes that the goal of this project is to ensure a secure, transparent, and efficient election process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with maximum protection of the rights of participants in the election process and the credibility of the elections.