Josip Salapi, the Vice President of the State Election Commission, recently appeared on N1 Dnevnik to discuss the preparations for the upcoming elections for the European Parliament. He addressed the issue of violations of election silence, noting that there were some instances of this occurring. However, unlike elections for the Croatian Parliament, where violations are common, there are stricter penalties in place for European elections.
Salapi mentioned that there were cases of political parties sending emails to potential voters, as well as posts on private profiles and announcements on portals that violated election silence. The State Election Commission flagged these violations and requested their removal. He emphasized that financial penalties are imposed for such breaches, with fines ranging from 13,000 to 66,000 euros.
While there have been fewer violations in the European elections due to the threat of fines, the Commission still takes any breaches seriously. Salapi discussed the differences in practices regarding election silence in Croatia and the EU, suggesting that there may be a need to reevaluate the necessity of such regulations in the future.
As the final preparations for polling stations are underway, Salapi urged voters to fulfill their civic duty and participate in the elections. He addressed a recent case in Samobor where polling stations had to remain open longer due to a local event, stressing the importance of ensuring equal voting opportunities for all citizens. The Commission aims to maintain uniformity in following election rules and expects to release unofficial results shortly after the last polling station closes.
In conclusion, Salapi highlighted the importance of adhering to electoral regulations and ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process. The Commission continues to monitor and address any violations that may occur during the elections.