OSCE/ODIHR sends observers to monitor Croatian local government elections

ZAGREB, 27 April 2001 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) has established an Election Observation Mission for the 20 May local government elections in Croatia.

"We will monitor the conduct of the local government elections and the extent to which improvements noted during last year's parliamentary and presidential elections have been consolidated", said Mark Stevens, the head of the OSCE/ODIHR Observation Mission.

The Mission will assess the compliance of this elections with the commitments for democratic elections outlined in the OSCE Copenhagen Document of 1990, as well as with relevant national legislation.

A core team of seven international election experts in Zagreb and four long-term observers based in regional centres will monitor the conduct of the campaign, and will consult regularly with election commissions, candidates and political parties, media and civil society. The Mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign, at both the national and regional levels.

On election day, more than 100 short-term observers will be deployed throughout Croatia to monitor voting and counting procedures.

For further information, please contact:

• Jens-Hagen Eschenbaecher, ODIHR Spokesperson, +48-22-4563173 or +48-603683122 (mobile)
• Mark Stevens, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission to Croatia, Room 400-407, Hotel Inter-Continental, Zagreb, tel/fax: +385 01 483 6007, mobile: 098 166 0221
• Vadim Zhdanovich, ODIHR Election Adviser, tel. +48-22-520 06 00, fax +48-22-628 69 67