Split Residents Head to the Polls on September 27: Electing 238 Representatives
Citizens will choose council members for 27 city districts and seven local committees, with a new four-year term beginning.
Citizens will choose council members for 27 city districts and seven local committees, with a new four-year term beginning.
Residents of Split will head to the polls on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to elect new representatives to the councils of city districts and local committees. This time, it's not about choosing a mayor or the City Council, but rather selecting a total of 238 individuals who will serve as the first point of contact for addressing everyday communal issues in various parts of the city.
According to published information, polling stations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Elections will be held in all 27 city districts and seven local committees across Split, with each of these local self-government units electing seven council members.
The local committees where elections will take place are Donje Sitno, Gornje Sitno, Kamen, Slatine, Srinjine, Stobreč, and Žrnovnica. The city districts include Bačvice, Blatine, Škrape, Bol, Brda, Grad, Gripe, Kman, Kocunar, Lokve, Lovret, Lučac, Manuš, Meje, Mejaši, Mertojak, Neslanovac, Plokite, Pujanke, Ravne Njive, Sirobuja, Spinut, Split 3, Sućidar, Šine, Trstenik, Varoš, Visoka, and Žnjan.
Although district elections don't attract the same attention as parliamentary or mayoral races, their outcome directly impacts the quality of life in neighborhoods. The councils of districts and local committees represent the level of government closest to citizens. Their members identify local issues, set priorities, and submit proposals to the city administration regarding traffic, public lighting, parking, children's playgrounds, green spaces, and other minor communal projects.
While they lack the authority to make major infrastructure decisions, a well-organized council can more effectively advocate for projects important to its part of the city and demand clear timelines from the city administration for resolving long-standing issues.
These elections will also be the first serious showdown of political forces in Split following the regular local elections. Political parties, independent lists, and civic initiatives will compete for dominance in district councils across the city, from the largest neighborhoods to the outskirts. The results will reveal how satisfied citizens are with the current city administration and how entrenched various political options are in different neighborhoods.
The calling of elections was announced by Split's mayor, Tomislav Šuta, and the final decision on holding them was to be made by the City Council at its upcoming session. According to the proposed decision, its entry into force would end the mandate of all current members of local committee and city district councils and begin a new four-year cycle. The last such elections were held on September 4, 2022. The costs of conducting the elections are secured in the City of Split's budget.
