Croatia operates as a parliamentary republic and holds elections to determine its political representatives. Here is some information about the election system in Croatia:
- Presidential Elections: The President of Croatia is the head of state and is elected through a direct popular vote. Presidential elections are held every five years. To win in the first round, a candidate must secure an absolute majority (50%+1) of the votes. If no candidate achieves this majority, a second round is held between the top two candidates.
- Parliamentary Elections: The Croatian Parliament, also known as the Sabor, is the country’s legislative body. It consists of a unicameral assembly with 151 seats. Members of Parliament, known as deputies, are elected through a proportional representation system. Seats are allocated to political parties based on the percentage of votes received, with a threshold of 5% for representation.
- Electoral Process: The State Election Commission (Državno izborno povjerenstvo, DIP) of Croatia is responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in the country. It ensures the transparency and fairness of the electoral process, including voter registration, candidate nomination, and the counting of votes. The DIP is an independent institution that upholds the integrity of the electoral system.
- Voter Eligibility: Croatian citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote. Voter registration is required, and citizens must be included in the electoral roll to participate in elections. Eligible voters can cast their ballots at designated polling stations within their respective constituencies.
