“We can be satisfied that the elections passed calmly, in an orderly manner, and a democratic atmosphere,” Sessa told a press conference.
He said that he was especially pleased with how the elections had proceeded in the earthquake-hit Sisak-Moslavina County.
Run-off for 14 county prefects, Zagreb mayor
Sessa announced that the second round of the election is scheduled for 30 May, when voters will elect county prefects in 14 counties, the new mayor of Zagreb, and 55 mayors in cities and 87 municipalities.
There will be two candidates on each ballot slip, with the candidate who won the most votes in the first round being listed first.
The candidate who wins the most votes in the runoff will be declared the winner, he underscored. Should the two candidates get the same number of votes, the election would have to be repeated in that constituency, he explained.
Elections will be repeated at 18 polling stations in the country on 23 May due to irregularities during Sunday’s voting and at one polling station on 30 May due to technical problems at yesterday’s election.
If necessary, the additional elections for some designated seats for ethnic minorities will be held in the autumn.
Sessa underscored that, on the most part, the elections were held in an orderly manner, and only some minor incidents were reported.
He confirmed that some breaches of the ban on electioneering had occurred mostly in social networks, which cannot be controlled, but they cannot be assessed as having affected the election outcome.
He added that it is up to the local electoral commission now to investigate breaches and whether legal proceedings are necessary.
Sessa underscored that any possible complaints related to the election could be submitted until 7 pm on Monday.
Deadlines for financial statements
DIP vice president Vesna Fabijančić-Križanić recalled that candidates whose election ended in the first round are obliged to submit their financial statements by midnight 16 June.
Participants in the second round of the election have until Saturday, 22 May, to submit interim financial statements of their costs, donations, and discounts for media advertising.
Their final financial statements are due by 29 June.
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