OSCE/ODIHR presents recommendations from final report on presidential election in Montenegro

A team from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) completed meetings on 10 October 2013 in Podgorica, where it presented the final report of the Limited Election Observation Mission for the 7 April presidential election in Montenegro.

The report’s findings and recommendations were presented to officials from the Foreign Affairs and European Integration Ministry, Interior and Justice Ministry, the parliament, the State Election Commission, and other institutions, as well as to representatives of political parties, civil society, international community and the media.

Recommendations in the report highlight the need to promote a transparent and open campaign environment, as well as greater initiatives by the authorities to properly investigate allegations of the misuse of state resources, the intimidation of employees and vote buying. The authorities are also urged to take appropriate actions should evidence of such violations be found.

Additionally, the report recommends further efforts to enhance public confidence in the quality of voter lists, as well as to include specific provisions that clearly address the role of the media during  presidential campaigns and the establishment of an independent authority to oversee media conduct during the elections.

The report adds that the legal framework should be further amended to eliminate the 24-month residency requirement and that more should be done to facilitate voters’ access to legal remedies.

The ODIHR team said it is ready to assist the country’s authorities in implementing the report’s recommendations, upon the request of the authorities.

All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.