RAMUSCAK ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL RESULTS OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

ZAGREB, Jan 19 (Hina) - The new composition of the Croatian National Sabor's House of Representatives will have a total of 151 representatives, the head of the National Electoral Commission, Marijan Ramuscak, said on Wednesday presenting the official results of the January 3 parliamentary election. The Social Democratic Party/Croatian Social Liberal Party (SDP/HSLS) coalition, which in the fourth and eighth constituencies formed a coalition with the Croatian Party of Slavonija and Baranja (SBHS) and the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Party (PGS) has achieved the best election results and will have 71 seats in parliament. The Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) party will have 46 seats whereas the coalition consisting of the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS), Liberal Party (LS), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), and the Action of Social Democrats of Croatia (ASH) won 24 seats. The coalition of the Croatian Party of Rights/Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HSP/HKDU) will have five seats as will Croatia's autochtonous minorities. #L# Due to certain irregularities (extra ballots), the elections were repeated at 11 polling stations in Croatia on January 16. Out of 4,244,588 voters, 2,991,646 or 70.48 per cent went to the polls on January 3. The turnout in ten Croatian constituencies was 76.52 per cent, whereas in the 11th constituency (the Diaspora list) the turnout was 35.22 per cent. A turnout of 22.17 per cent was recorded in the 12th constituency, which was made up of the whole of Croatia, and in which members of minorities voted. There were 98.32 per cent of valid ballots and 1.68 per cent of invalid ones. With the announcement of official election results, requirements for the constituting of the third composition of the Lower House have been met. According to announcements, the constituent session should be held in early February. (hina) rml .