Dalibor Paus from IDS emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the electoral system in Croatia before the next parliamentary elections. He proposed serious discussion on mandatory voting or, if not feasible, easing access to voting and educating citizens on the importance of elections. Paus also called for the introduction of electronic voting as a supplement to the existing system, especially to help young voters and the diaspora. He stressed the need to equalize candidacy rules, vote counting, and revise electoral districts so that every vote has equal value. Paus warned about low public trust in the electoral system, with 40% of voters believing elections are rigged or unfair, as well as longstanding issues with the voter registry and confusing different rules for different types of elections.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the need for electoral reform as a step towards greater democracy and fairness. They highlight the importance of mandatory voting or increased voter participation, the inclusion of electronic voting to engage younger voters, and addressing systemic distrust in the electoral process. The narrative focuses on empowering citizens and ensuring equal representation.
Center: Centrist sources report the issue factually, focusing on the proposals made by Dalibor Paus and the challenges in the current electoral system. They present the arguments for reform, including the need to equalize vote value and improve voter access, without strong ideological framing. The coverage tends to balance the pros and cons of mandatory voting and electronic voting.
Right: Right-leaning media may be more skeptical about mandatory voting and electronic voting, emphasizing the risks of complicating the electoral process or undermining traditional voting methods. They might focus on the stability of the current system and question the necessity of reforms, or highlight concerns about government overreach and voter manipulation. However, they acknowledge the need to address voter distrust.
