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Polling stations for the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina have opened, with Bosnian voters having the opportunity today to elect representatives to the three levels of government in the country, which is made up of two semi-autonomous parts, BTA reports.

More than 5,900 polling stations are planned for these elections, which will remain open until 7 p.m. 

About 3.3 million people out of a total population of 3.5 million in Bosnia have the right to vote. 

According to the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the war in Bosnia (1992-95), the country was made up of the Republika Srpska, populated mainly by Bosnian Serbs (31 percent of the entire population of Bosnia), and the Muslim-Croat Federation, where mostly Bosnian Muslims live - Bosniaks (about 50 percent) and Bosnian Croats (15 percent).

The election campaign in Bosnia and Herzegovina officially starts today

The voters will elect a Bosnian Serb, a Croat and a Muslim who will be the three members of the common Presidency (presidency) for all of Bosnia, headed on a rotating basis by one of the representatives of the three communities. 

In addition to members of the Presidency, Bosnians will also elect their representatives in the lower house of the national parliament, the parliaments of the two constituent units, as well as in the parliaments of the ten cantons of the Muslim-Croat Federation.

Republika Srpska will also elect a president and vice presidents. 

Citizens will be able to choose from among 72 parties, 17 independent candidates and 38 coalitions, the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced.

More than 60,000 accredited observers will monitor the work of the election administration, the voting process and the counting of votes.

Preliminary results are expected after midnight, and final results by November 1. 

There are more than 7,700 candidates for the most important posts in the country.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

elections