They believe that the media are favouring the incumbent president, Stjepan Mesic, and Croatian Democratic Union candidate Jadranka Kosor. This deprives undecided voters, who according to some opinion polls make up almost one-third of the electorate, of access to the platforms of other presidential candidates, the two candidates say.
"These are the least free, the most controlled and the least democratic elections with the shortest campaign in the history of democracy," Letica said, adding that he had informed representatives of the OSCE and the GONG election monitoring association of his position.
Adlesic and Letica have submitted an appeal to the State Election Commission (DIP), representatives of international organisations and NGOs monitoring human rights and democratic development. They state in the appeal that the government's decision to call elections with the shortest possible campaign put all candidates except Jadranka Kosor and Stjepan Mesic in an unequal and discriminating position.
The candidates said that the bias of the Croatian Radio Television (HRT) was also proved by its decision to broadcast pre-recorded interviews with presidential candidates instead of to go live with them.
They urged the DIP and HRT to ensure two-hour duels among randomly chosen candidates.
Adlesic and Letica believe that DIP chairman Ivica Crnic had made fun of the elections by claiming that the "flourishing interest in candidacy produces more and more candidates every time".
The two candidates also called on other candidates to join their appeal.