Overview
- Preliminary results from the Central Election Commission show Siniša Karan at about 50.9% to Branko Blanuša’s 47.8% with roughly 93% of polling stations counted.
- Turnout was reported at roughly 35–36%, far below the 53% recorded in 2022.
- Opposition parties dispute the outcome, alleging manipulation and seeking repeat voting in three cities, though they have not presented detailed evidence.
- Domestic observers from Pod Lupom reported dozens of violations, including pressure on voters and breaches of ballot secrecy, and noted at least one police intervention in Brčko.
- Karan is a close confidant of ousted leader Milorad Dodik, who was removed and banned from office for six years; the interim mandate runs only until regular 2026 elections as U.S. sanctions on Dodik and allies were recently lifted.