Presidential elections kick off in Croatia

Polling stations opened at 7 a.m. on Sunday in Croatia and abroad for Croatia's seventh presidential election in which 3.855 million eligible voters are choosing between incumbent Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovi? and ten other candidates.

Iran PressEurope: The other candidates are former prime minister, Zoran Milanovi?, singer-turned-politician Miroslav Škoro, MEP and former judge Mislav Kolakuši?, former Conflict of Interest Commission head Dalija Oreškovi?, film director Dario Juri?an, economist Dejan Kova?, former MP Anto ?api?, activist and university professor Katarina Peovi?, MP Ivan Pernar and former Klanjec mayor Nedjeljko Babi?, Reuters reported.

 Polling stations will close at 7 p.m.

The election is being overseen by 24,270 observers, three per polling station on average.

Given the time difference, Australia was the first to open polling stations at 9 p.m. on Saturday, while they will be closed last in Los Angeles.

A total of 6,533 polling stations have been opened, including 6,409 in Croatia and 124 in 47 foreign countries, including 44 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The president is elected by 50% plus one vote of all who cast their ballots and if none of the 11 candidates wins such a majority, there will be a runoff on January 5 between the two candidates who win the most votes in the first round.

Election silence began at 00.00 hours on Saturday and lasts until 7 p.m. today when polling stations close.

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