Evidencing and Reporting on the Resolution of Administrative Matters in Administrative Procedures – Basic Prerequisites for Assessing the State and Improving Administrative Decision-Making

Abstract

Evidence and reporting on the resolution of administrative matters represent an important instrument for monitoring the efficiency, legality, transparency, and accountability of administrative authorities. This paper analyzes the normative framework and the practice of maintaining evidence and preparing annual reports on the resolution of administrative matters in the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a particular focus on the period 2019–2024. Based on data from the Consolidated Reports on the Resolution of Administrative Matters, the paper presents trends regarding the number of institutions submitting reports, the number of administrative fields, the volume of first-instance and second-instance proceedings, as well as the structure of deadlines and decision-making outcomes.

The analysis shows that during the observed period there was an increase in the number of institutions submitting reports, as well as an increase in the number of administrative fields, indicating a gradual strengthening of reporting practice. At the same time, statistical indicators reveal a relatively high level of timeliness in resolving administrative cases, with an average of more than 89% of cases resolved within the legally prescribed deadlines. However, certain shortcomings have also been identified, particularly the presentation of data in a summary form, which prevents detailed analysis by administrative fields and limits the possibility of timely identification of bottlenecks in administrative decision-making.

The paper emphasizes the need to improve the existing system of evidence and reporting through the standardization of evidence forms, more frequent reporting, and the introduction of modern analytical mechanisms. It concludes that the transition from traditional, annual, and predominantly paper-based reporting to a system enabling continuous monitoring and analytical processing of data represents an important prerequisite for improving administrative decision-making, strengthening institutional accountability, and aligning with the standards of the European Administrative Space.