OSCE Mission organizes discussion in Croatian Parliament of voter registration lists

ZAGREB, 11 December 2006 - The need to have an accurate, comprehensive and centralized voter registration list was discussed in the Parliament in Zagreb today.

Organized by the OSCE Mission to Croatia, the discussion focused on the draft law on the voter list and issues of residency, as well on such politically sensitive issues as voting of Bosnian citizens of Croat ethnicity and voting by Croatian Serb refugees.

"An accurate, comprehensive and centralized voter registration list, accompanied by clear and fair regulations governing out-of-country voting and residency are fundamental elements legitimising modern democratic states," said Ambassador Jorge Fuentes, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Croatia.

He praised the Government's initiative to include parliamentarians, representatives from State and judicial institutions, academics, the media and civil society representatives in the discussion. "I see this inclusive process as a commendable step towards achieving a high degree of domestic consensus on this issue and drafting legislation in line with the highest European standards and practices," he said.

Prime Minister Ivo Sanader added: "This roundtable discussion shows that Croatian institutions have a strong will to resolve remaining issues referring to the electoral legislation." He said the Government had put maximum effort into improving the voter lists.

Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks pointed out that the law on voter lists was an important part of the electoral legislation, which guarantees fair elections. "The lists play a crucial role in the assessment of the legitimacy of elections," he said.

Participants stressed the importance of finding ways to quickly update diaspora lists in cases of voter deaths or change of residency, as well as enhancing co-ordination among all bodies conducting elections.

The event was organized together with the Central State Administration Office with the assistance of the non-governmental organization GONG.