SERB PEOPLE'S COUNCIL URGES EVALUATION OF CONSTITUTIONALITY OF NEW ELETORAL LAW

ZAGREB, Nov 4 (Hina) - The Presidency of the Serb People's Council (SNV) will request the Croatian Constitutional Court to assess the constitutionality of the new electoral law, Council president Milorad Pupovac told reporters on Thursday. He announced the SNV would request the state administration management to submit as soon as possible the exact list of voters of Serb nationality, in order for the Serb community to adequately prepare for the parliamentary elections scheduled for next month. Pupovac called on all Croatian citizens of Serb nationality to vote at the elections. He said all conditions existed for the Constitutional Court to assess the constitutionality of the reduced representation of the Serb national minority in the Croatian parliament to one seat. The new electoral law has brought into question the Constitutional Law on Human Rights and the Rights of National Minorities, he asserted, adding "the right to positive discrimination, which is guaranteed by the Constitution, must not collide with the civil right." Pupovac said the party which motioned the law had no foundation to turn down positive discrimination. The passing of the electoral law discriminates national minorities which have the constitutional right to vote as national minorities, as well as the civil right to vote, he added. Pupovac said the SNV would support the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS). SDSS president Vojislav Stanimirovic said his party was also dissatisfied with national minority representation in the Croatian parliament as envisaged by the new electoral law. (hina) ha