STATE ELECTION COMMISSION ACQUAINTS REPORTERS WITH ITS WORK

ZAGREB, Dec 3 (Hina) - Croatia's State Election Commission on Friday held its first news conference in Zagreb. The Commission announced the composition of commissions for electoral units and their headquarters. Reporters were also acquainted with the current work of the State Commission as well as with its further activities. Reporters were told that the Commission was also preparing the voting abroad. Croatia's citizens will be able to cast ballots at polling stations organised in diplomatic and consular offices of Croatia in countries which allow the voting on their territories. The election aboard has been scheduled for 2 and 3 January 2000, while voters in Croatia will go to the polls on January 3. The data from abroad about the election will be processed in the State Commission's offices in the downtown Zagreb, and present will be observers who would like to monitor that process. The Zagreb institute for computer processing of data will process materials in relation to the January parliamentary election. Computer equipment of branch offices of the Tax Administration, that makes up a network covering 123 towns and cities and being directly connected with the centre in Zagreb, will be also used for this purpose. The Commission's members confirmed that slips were being sent to eligible voters which contain several data including the information on nationality. They said members of national minorities would be able to decide, on the day of the election, whether to vote for minorities' candidates or for (ordinary) lists in electoral units where they live. If they opt for the voting for minorities' lists, such voters must be on registers of members of national minorities. Prior to the election, they can check if they are on such registers. (hina)ms