Decision-making in the House of Representatives

In accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives, the decisions are made by the majority of all representatives attending and voting. The votes “abstained” shall be counted towards a quorum but shall not be added to the votes “in favour” or “against” respectively. Representatives make efforts to include at least one third of the representatives from the territory of each Entity in the majority, unless otherwise provided by the BiH Constitution and these Rules of Procedure.

In case a representative does not vote “in favour”, “against” or “abstained”, but he/she is present at the session during the voting, he/she is considered “abstained”.

In all cases, the number of votes cast must be equal at least to the quorum which shall, in accordance to the Rules of Procedure, comprise 22 representatives, provided that there is a minimum of one third of the representatives present from each entity unless the decision-making procedure in certain matters is otherwise regulated by the BiH Constitution and the Rules of Procedure.

Procedures applied when the majority does not include one third of the votes from the territory of each entity

If the majority of votes does not include one third of the votes from the territory of each Entity, the Speaker may call for a break of up to 60 minutes. During the break, the Collegium shall attempt to find a solution, in cooperation with Chairs of caucuses and independent representatives.

In case the controversial issue is not solved after the break, the Speaker convens the Collegium, which, working as a Commission, makes efforts to find a conciliatory solution within the next three days.

If the Collegium manages to reach an agreement, the House shall be informed about it and a vote shall follow pursuant to the Article 79 of the Rules of Procedure.

If the Collegium fails to reach a consensus, or if it reaches consensus about a new solution that was not subject to the voting procedure of the House, the decision shall be passed by a majority of the total number of representatives attending and voting, provided that dissenting votes do not include two thirds or more of the representatives elected from either Entity.

If a quorum is not met and, after the break, the Speaker verifies, or the vote reveals, that the lack of quorum persists, the respective issue shall be postponed for the next session.