CRO ELECTORAL COMMISSION CHOOSES COLOURS OF BALLOTS

ZAGREB, Feb 22 (Hina) - Applications of lists of candidates for elections in constituencies of local government and self-government can be submitted by February 24 at midnight, and lists of candidates for the Croatian Parliament House of Counties can be delivered by midnight on February 26. Colours of ballots were chosen and those were white, sandy, lilac, apricot and turquoise, while the Croatian national electoral commission had given up from red, yellow and blue colours in order to avoid associations with parties' colours, the commission's head Ivan Mrkonjic said at a news conference on Saturday. Asked about elections in the Croatian Danubian area and asked whether UN Transitional Administrator of the area, General Jacques Klein, had called the elections, Mrkonjic said that there were two interpretations - according to one way of interpretation, there is no need for calling elections as they have been called in the entire territory of Croatia, and according to the other interpretation, the elections should be called there. Mrkonjic told the conference that Gen. Klein said that if necessary, he would call the elections in the Croatian Danubian area under Croatian election laws. The national electoral commission held two meetings with UNTAES officials and delivered them material concerning elections, and the answer would be known in days. The time frame for submitting lists of candidates in the Danubian area was the same: until 24 February and until 26 February for local elections and the Upper House elections respectively, Mrkonjic told the conference and added that in case the time frame was extended, the same would go for displaced persons. Speaking of a procedure for standing the elections, Mrkonjic said that for a list of candidates for the House of Counties candidates should certify their consent at the office of a notary public. Lists of candidates for local elections should be certified by a responsible electoral commission. Lists of political parties should be signed by authorised persons or their authorised agents. One candidate can be included both in a list for local administration and on a list for a county assembly, but if she or he are elected on both levels, they must chose one post. However, if a candidate is elected both in a local constituency and for the House of Counties, she or he will be able to assume both posts, according to Mrkonjic. Lists of candidates for local government and self-government would be published by local media, whereas lists for the Upper House will be released in all Croatian dailies and the Croatian Radio and Television, the head of the national electoral commission said. (hina) mš 221647 MET feb 97