Municipalities in flooded regions scramble to prepare for elections

Preparations are in full swing for elections to regional councils and a third of the Senate which take place on Friday and Saturday in what are exceptionally difficult circumstances for the flooded regions.  The Interior Ministry is assisting the preparations both with people and material aid. According to the interior minister, 35 municipalities have been hard-hit by the floods, which represents an estimated 200 polling stations. He said that where polling stations cannot be set up or would not be accessible for all, voting can take place in tents. There are about 6 250 municipalities in the Czech Republic and about 14 000 precincts. The minister said that in addition to material aid, electricity would be secured by generators in all affected municipalities.