Coalition wants to combine regional and municipal elections on same day

Regional and municipal elections should be held simultaneously on the same day from 2022 onwards, according to the amendments to the Slovak Constitution and Conditions on Exercising Franchise Act drafted by coalition Smer-SD and Most-Hid lawmakers. Currently, regional and municipal elections are held separately, with the next regional election slated for 2017 and the next municipal one for 2018. By amending the Constitution, lawmakers seek to make a one-time extension of elected terms for governors and regional councillors from four to five years; allowing for both types of elections to be held in 2022. As of then, candidates would be elected to four-year terms both in regions, towns and villages. "The purpose of the constitutional amendment is to unify the elected terms of local self-government bodies and thus create a better environment for voters to exercise their franchise," reads the text. "For voters, this means casting votes on the same day and at the same place, which works to save time for them and also draws greater attention to candidates and the selection of those most capable of carrying out their preferred policies."