The State Secretary in the Central State Administration Office, Antun Palaric, said that establishing the State Electoral Commission (DIP) as a permanent body was one of the government measures in reforming electoral legislation.
Under the bill, the DIP would consist of seven law graduates with at least 12 years' work experience in the legal profession and knowledge of electoral legislation and the political system. They would not be members of political parties and would not participate in elections.
DIP members would be appointed by the Parliament for a term of eight years. A president of the DIP would be elected on the basis of a public announcement. The parliamentary majority and the opposition would each nominate a vice-president and two members.
The DIP has so far consisted of Supreme Court judges. The proposed bill would relieve them of this duty and make it possible for them to focus on their judicial work.