Dodik was president of Republika Srpska, the Serbian part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, until he was ousted in February this year by the Bosnian electoral authority.
He had been sentenced to prison and banned from holding political office for six years due to "separatist acts", but escaped prison with a fine instead.
Now a replacement will be elected who will govern the territory until the elections in October 2026. Today's election is seen as a test of support for Dodik's party, which has ruled for almost two decades.
Around 1.2 million people are eligible to vote and can choose between six candidates, with two of them being the favourites.
