ZAGREB, Dec 28 (Hina) - European Union ambassadors on Tuesday described the work of the Croatian National Electoral Commission as expert and completely transparent. They applauded the openness of the commission's work for the public
and its efforts for the upcoming parliamentary elections to be free and fair, and for possible irregularities to be avoided, Commission president Marijan Ramuscak told reporters. He said members of the Commission had during two-hour talks with EU ambassadors answered a number of questions regarding the elections. We informed them about the decision that positive changes in the Electoral Law be applied in the presidential elections, Ramuscak said. He explained this concerned the possibility for domestic and foreign observers as well as parties to supervise the electoral process. Asked about the cost of parliamentary elections, Ramuscak said they would amount to about 50 million kuna (US$6.6 m
ZAGREB, Dec 28 (Hina) - European Union ambassadors on Tuesday
described the work of the Croatian National Electoral Commission as
expert and completely transparent.
They applauded the openness of the commission's work for the public
and its efforts for the upcoming parliamentary elections to be free
and fair, and for possible irregularities to be avoided, Commission
president Marijan Ramuscak told reporters.
He said members of the Commission had during two-hour talks with EU
ambassadors answered a number of questions regarding the
elections.
We informed them about the decision that positive changes in the
Electoral Law be applied in the presidential elections, Ramuscak
said.
He explained this concerned the possibility for domestic and
foreign observers as well as parties to supervise the electoral
process.
Asked about the cost of parliamentary elections, Ramuscak said they
would amount to about 50 million kuna (US$6.6 million). This
includes expenses for all electoral activities, at all levels, he
stressed, adding the presidential elections would be cheaper.
There will be 6,500 electoral committees in Croatia and 149
abroad.
Ballots have been sent overseas on Christmas day, to countries
further away yesterday and closer European states today,
Commission member Branko Hrvatin said.
Ballots for Bosnia-Herzegovina are being packed and there are
310,000 of them.
However, considering the number of polling stations, all of them
will probably not be used, Hrvatin said.
He recalled that within 48 hours of closing polling stations
abroad, the entire electoral material must be submitted to the
National Electoral Commission.
He enumerated mechanisms for securing the electoral material,
including the faxing of memorandums on the work of the electoral
committees to the Commission.
Hrvatin said a large number of ballots had this year been sent to
certain countries such as Austria and Slovenia for Croatian
citizens who will be there during the elections, for example on
skiing holidays.
(hina) lml mm