State Electoral Commission (DIP) head Djuro Sessa on Monday said that he was pleased the way Sunday's local elections were held for the legislatures and heads of the 576 various government units, adding that the elections were held in a calm and democratic atmosphere.

“We can be satisfied that the elections passed calmly, in an orderly manner and in a democratic atmosphere,” Sessa said at a press conference.

He said that he was especially pleased the way 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 May 30, when voters will elect county prefects in 14 counties as well as the new mayor of  the City of Zagreb and 55 mayors in cities and in 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.

Should the two candidates get the same number of votes in the runoff, the election would have to be repeated in that constituency, Sessa explained.

Elections will be repeated at 18 polling stations in the country on May 23, due to irregularities during Sunday’s voting and at one polling station on May 30, due to technical problems at yesterday’s election.

The additional elections for some designated seats for ethnic minorities will be held in the autumn, if necessary.

Sessa confirmed that some breaches of the ban on the electioneering had occurred mostly on social networks, which cannot be controlled, but they cannot be assessed as having affected the election outcome.

It is up to local electoral commission now to investigate breaches and whether legal proceedings are necessary, he added.

Sessa said that any possible complaints related to the election can be submitted until 7 pm on Monday.

Deadlines for financial statements

DIP vice president, Vesna Fabijancic-Krizanic said that candidates whose election ended in the first round are obliged to submit their financial statements by midnight, June 16.

Participants in the second round of the election have until Saturday, May 22 to submit interim financial statements of their costs, donations and discounts for media advertising.

Their final financial statements are due by June 29.