The ruling, handed down in Sarajevo, follows Dodik’s sentencing to one year of imprisonment and a six-year ban on holding any public office.
The removal of Dodik’s mandate was confirmed during the Commission’s 39th session, held in a hybrid format. Three members were present, while the remaining four submitted written approval. The decision, though adopted, will only become legally effective once the appeal period expires.
Under the Election Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an elected official’s mandate terminates upon the finalisation of a criminal sentence of six months or more. Dodik, having been convicted for refusing to implement the decisions of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has thus become ineligible to hold or seek public office until 2031.
The appeal process is limited. Dodik may submit an appeal to the Appellate Division of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina within two days of receiving formal notification via the Election Commission. His defence team has also announced its intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court in an effort to challenge both the verdict and its consequences.
Pending the legal process, early elections for the presidency of Republika Srpska are expected to be held within 90 days of the mandate’s formal termination. Regular general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina are scheduled for October 2026.
Legal and Political Background
Dodik was found guilty for enacting and signing legislation that directly contradicted the decisions of High Representative Christian Schmidt. These laws, passed by the Republika Srpska parliament and ratified by Dodik, were aimed at preventing the implementation of rulings issued by Bosnia’s Constitutional Court and the High Representative within the territory of Republika Srpska. Schmidt had previously annulled these legal acts.
While Dodik was convicted, his co-defendant Miloš Lukić, acting director of the Republika Srpska Official Gazette, was acquitted of all charges.
CIK BiH member Suad Arnautović clarified that the Commission’s role was purely procedural. “We are applying the law directly. This is not a political or discretionary decision,” he said. “When a final conviction is entered, the Election Commission is obligated to revoke the mandate. This is a process we have followed in hundreds of previous cases.”
Dodik’s Response
Shortly after the decision was published, Dodik reacted on social media platform X, describing it as “more nonsense from Sarajevo”. He has maintained that he will not step down, despite the verdict, and has insisted he will continue to act as President of Republika Srpska as long as he retains the support of the entity’s parliament.
Dodik’s party, the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), rejected the court’s decision and issued a call for a “government of national unity” within Republika Srpska. They urged all political actors in the entity to coordinate efforts at the state level until, in their words, the constitutional position of Republika Srpska is “restored”.
The Government of Republika Srpska also dismissed the verdict, labelling it “legally void, unconstitutional, and politically motivated”. At an extraordinary session in Banja Luka on 5 August, the government issued a series of conclusions asserting that the Court and Prosecutor’s Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina were unconstitutional bodies and that Dodik’s actions were carried out in accordance with his constitutional responsibilities.
International and Legal Implications
The European Union has welcomed the upholding of the verdict, noting that it is binding and must be implemented. Brussels has previously expressed concern over Dodik’s challenges to the authority of state institutions and the High Representative, viewing them as obstructive to Bosnia’s EU accession process.
The United States and EU member states have sanctioned Dodik on previous occasions for undermining Bosnia’s constitutional order and promoting secessionist rhetoric. His alignment with Russia and repeated threats to withdraw Republika Srpska from Bosnia’s central institutions have been cited as destabilising factors in the Western Balkans.
The High Representative’s role, enshrined in the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement, allows for the imposition of decisions and removal of public officials to maintain constitutional order and peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dodik has consistently rejected the legitimacy of High Representative Schmidt, claiming his appointment lacked UN Security Council endorsement.
Outlook
The formal removal of Dodik from office marks a legal turning point, but enforcement may prove complex. If Republika Srpska’s authorities refuse to acknowledge the ruling, a constitutional standoff may emerge. It remains unclear whether Dodik will attempt to retain office beyond the appeal period or whether early elections will proceed without obstruction.
Republika Srpska Adopts Laws Restricting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Judicial Authority
