CALL FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: Development of an online platform for reporting by election observers for the citizen, non-partisan observation mission of the 2026 General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The subject of this call is the development of an online platform for reporting by election observers for the citizen, non-partisan observation mission of the 2026 General Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducted by the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections “Pod lupom”, which includes the development of an IT system for reporting on the independent assessment of Election Day.

The assignment will be based on the following information regarding the election observation mission:

• In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are approximately 5,400 regular polling stations.
• It is estimated that a statistically representative sample of polling stations for election observation, based on the SBO/PVT methodology, will include between 900 and 1,000 polling stations (16–18% of the total number of regular polling stations).
• The non-partisan, citizen election observation mission will include up to 200 additional polling stations outside the SBO/PVT sample (so-called critical polling stations). The data analysis conducted under this contract should separately identify these polling stations.
• This engagement includes the development of an IT reporting system that observers will use in real time on Election Day. The system includes the submission of field reports via SMS messages, online reporting, and reporting through a call center.
• Observer reporting forms will contain up to 100 questions, and responses may consist of predefined options or numerical answers.
• The response analysis module will enable insight into each individual response through an online reporting form, as well as provide absolute numbers and percentages of polling stations from which all responses have been received.
• The sampling of polling stations, which will be used as a representative sample for an objective assessment of Election Day, is based on the SBO/PVT methodology, one of the most widely recognized methodologies for independent election observation worldwide.

Download the full call.

CALL FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS (17.07.2026) 

Responses to questions received during the Public Call

QUESTION 1.

Sampling methodology (SBO/PVT). The specification foresees that the Contractor determines a representative sample according to the SBO/PVT methodology. Given that the Coalition “Pod lupom” already applies a developed methodology, we kindly request confirmation of the preferred approach:

a) The Coalition provides the methodological framework (stratification, sample size, projection method), and the Contractor implements it; or

b) The Contractor independently designs the sample and PVT estimation, subject to subsequent validation by the Coalition.

ANSWER:

The Contracting Authority provides input information and criteria for sampling polling stations (e.g. application of the SBO/PVT methodology, between 900 and 1,000 polling stations in the sample, a 95% confidence level, etc.).

More information can be found in the “Call for Proposals” in the sections “Description of the subject of the call”, “The engagement includes” and “Other technical specifications”.

QUESTION 2.

SMS / telecom costs. Receiving coded SMS messages requires a service (short) number from the operator. We kindly request clarification on whether the costs of leasing the number and per-message traffic are borne by the Contracting Authority or the Contractor, and whether such a number has already been secured.

ANSWER:

All accompanying costs of observer reporting on election day are borne by the Contractor, including the costs of leasing the number and per-message traffic. Numbers for observer reporting have not been secured.

QUESTION 3.

Reporting forms. The specification states that all forms developed by the project team will be integrated into the system. We kindly request an indicative timeline for when the forms and their final structure will be delivered, so that we can align them with the system readiness plan before election day.

ANSWER:

Exact deadlines and the method of service delivery will be agreed in a timely manner between the Contracting Authority and the bidder at a later stage. The Contracting Authority will endeavor to provide all necessary information and supporting documents for the smooth delivery of services as soon as possible. However, certain circumstances do not depend on the Contracting Authority and are closely linked to the “Instruction on deadlines and sequence of electoral activities for the General Elections 2026” issued by the Central Election Commission of BiH.

More information can be found in the “Call for Proposals” in the section “Deadline and method of service delivery”.