Bosnia and Herzegovina voted on Sunday in one of the world’s most complicated elections. About 3.4 million people were eligible to vote.

It was the country’s tenth general election since the 1992-95 war. Voters chose a three-member presidency, the national parliament and assemblies for the two entities created by the 1995 Dayton peace deal.

Early results showed Denis Becirovic leading the Bosniak presidency seat and Darijana Filipovic leading the Croat seat. Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik declared victory in his race.

Turnout was 42 per cent, down about 8 points from 2022, the election commission said. Many voters voiced frustration with three decades of ethnic division.

The Atlantic Council notes the vote is unlikely to end political deadlock or speed up European Union membership. But gains by the opposition in Republika Srpska could weaken Russia-aligned parties and restore basic government function.

Bosnia’s ethnic power-sharing system has blocked reforms for years. The next government inherits the same balancing act.