GOVT HAS AUTHORITY TO PRONOUNCE ELECTION DAY AS HOLIDAY

ZAGREB, Jan 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Constitutional Court on Wednesday described as unfounded a suggestion by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the initiation of a procedure to assess the constitutionality of a Government decree by which January 24, 2000, the day of presidential elections in Croatia, was pronounced holiday. The Constitutional Court said that the decision on the date of holding of presidential elections was a political decision by the Government, and therefore the Court cannot decide on whether some other date would be more appropriate. The SDP holds that the Government had no authority to pass the decree because it relates to the Constitutional rights and freedoms of man and citizen. The SDP requested of the Constitutional Court to rescind the decree. the Constitutional Court has found that the Government was authorised to set the date of elections as a holiday, and it was undoubtedly the duty of the Government, considering the expiry of the mandate of the Parliament, to do everything necessary for the elections to be held efficiently and to enable as many voters to cast their ballots. (hina) lml mm