OSCE/ODIHR opens mission to observe presidential election in Montenegro

PODGORICA, 8 March 2013 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today announced the opening of its limited election observation mission for the presidential election to be held in Montenegro on 7 April.

The mission's deployment follows an invitation from the parliament of Montenegro.

The mission is led by Ambassador Boris Frlec, and consists of 10 international experts based in Podgorica and 12 long-term observers to be deployed throughout the country.

Observers will assess the election for compliance with principles for democratic electoral processes, including commitments agreed to by all the OSCE participating States, as well as national legislation. Observers will follow campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legislative framework, and the resolution of election disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will conduct a comprehensive monitoring of the media.

As part of the observation process, the mission will meet with candidates and representatives from relevant authorities and political parties, as well as with representatives from the judiciary, civil society and the media.

In line with ODIHR’s methodology for limited election observation missions, the mission will not carry out systematic or comprehensive observation of the voting, counting and tabulation on election day. Mission members will, however, visit a number of polling stations across the country to follow election day procedures.

A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the election. A final report on the observation will be published approximately two months after the completion of the electoral process.

The OSCE/ODIHR limited election observation mission and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro operate separately under their specific mandates.

For further information contact:

Francesca Boggeri, Media Analyst of the Limited Election Observation Mission +382 67 388 156, francesca.boggeri@odihr.me