As with national referendums, the role of the authorities in triggering the referendum process also varies in respect of local and regional referendums. The question of intervention by national authorities has already been discussed above. In the case of referendums called by the authorities or requested by part of the electorate, subject to an authority’s approval, local and regional authorities can decide whether or not to hold a ballot. This is the case in Finland; in Bulgaria, where the request comes from less than 50 % of registered voters; in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, where it comes from less than 20 % of registered voters. In the event of a request from part of the electorate, local or regional authorities in some states can rule on its compliance with higher-ranking legislation (Poland, Switzerland); otherwise, they essentially have the task of organising the ballot. In the Czech Republic however, a municipal council receiving a request for a referendum from part of the electorate can, with the referendum committee’s agreement, rule on its substance without holding a referendum.