Croatia enters election silence ahead of local elections

(Patria) - With the first minutes of Saturday, election silence began in Croatia ahead of tomorrow's local elections. It will last until the closing of polling stations on Sunday at 7:00 PM.

During the election silence, public presentation of election programs, persuading voters to vote for specific lists or candidates, as well as publishing election forecasts and unofficial results are prohibited.

The State Election Commission (DIP) called on all participants in the election process - citizens, parties, and media - to respect this legally prescribed ban.

Fines are foreseen for violating the silence: 398.17 euros for individuals, from 1,327.23 to 3,981.68 euros for candidates, from 13,272.28 to 66,361.40 euros for legal entities, such as political parties or media, and from 1,327.23 to 3,981.68 euros for responsible persons within legal entities.

Violations are reported to the competent municipal, city, and county election commissions, as well as the Election Commission of the City of Zagreb.

Tomorrow, local authorities will be elected in Croatia - councils and assemblies of municipalities, cities, and counties, as well as mayors and county prefects.

Voting will take place at a total of 6,600 polling stations, which is 28 more than in the previous local elections.

The most polling stations are opening in Zagreb County (642), Split-Dalmatia County (609), and the City of Zagreb (605), while the fewest are in Lika-Senj County (113) and Međimurje County (158).

Polling stations are determined by the competent local election commissions, taking into account accessibility for voters.

DIP has published their list with corresponding areas on its website, where every voter can check where they are eligible to vote.

Unlike parliamentary or presidential elections, local elections are held exclusively at the place of residence - it is not possible to vote in another area, either within Croatia or abroad.

Adult Croatian citizens with residence in the unit for whose bodies elections are held have the right to vote.

This year, 31,082 candidates are entering the election race - almost 7,800 fewer than four years ago.

Around 57% of candidates are male, 42% are female, and the average age of all candidates is 47 years. The youngest have only recently become adults, and the oldest candidate is 96 years old.