New Slovak civic initiative to boost election turnout set up
[BBC, 10th June 2002]

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(Bratislava, 9 June) A new civic initiative called "Nie je nam to jedno" ("We do care") aims to motivate Slovak citizens to participate in the general election set for September.

Backed by organizations Hlava 98 (Head 98) and Obcianske oko (Civic Eye), the initiative is open to both individuals and organizations sympathetic to its goals, Hlava 98 representative Vladimir Talian said on Sunday 9 June.

The initiative is being carried out with support from the Open Society Foundation and Freedom House Slovakia. "In first free elections here 12 years ago, people voted with expectations and without fear of the future, but since then, politics has dashed many of their hopes," says the initiative's message. "All people have a vision of the future and the right to decide, and not to apply that right means to resign and give up one's expectations," it adds.

The message will be presented in Slovak regions by 25 two-or- three member teams, all of which have prepared their own plan of action. Besides holding public discussions, they also plan to organize cultural and sports events in major towns.

Copyright 2002 British Broadcasting Corporation
BBC Monitoring Europe - Political
Supplied by BBC Worldwide Monitoring
June 10, 2002, Monday
LENGTH: 198 words

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