President urges citizens to get out and vote on Saturday

Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic issued a statement on Tuesday challenging citizens of Slovakia to take part in regional elections due on Saturday, November 26. He appealed to citizens that they should understand that if he decided to address them through the media he did it as a citizen of this republic who is aware of the importance of this constitution guaranteed right. Gasparovic challenged people not to voluntarily waive this fundamental democratic right -- to vote in free elections. "It would be a shortsighted and irresponsible decision," he underscored.

Regional elections are of utmost importance for all as in the decentralization processes many important powers directly influencing citizens and their region were devolved to counties, said the head of state. He underlined that the citizens now have the chance to elect people who will be deciding on education, healthcare, social services, culture, transportation, and also on investments flowing to individual regions. Those who will not use their right to vote would in fact send a message to future regional politicians of their indifference in what is happening in the region and unwillingness to control how public affairs are managed.

The president also told the citizens they should criticize the elected representatives only if they did not voluntarily give up their right to vote. Gasparovic underscored he is not campaigning for any political party but wants to get the highest possible number of voters to the polling stations. The more people who attend, the bigger the possibility that they will pick politicians they wish and who will show they are able to uphold voters' opinions and meet their pledges.