OSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission to Montenegro

PODGORICA, 2 March 2009 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened its election observation mission for the 29 March early parliamentary elections in Montenegro.

"We welcome the opportunity to observe these early elections, which constitute a part of Montenegro's continued development in meeting its international commitment to hold democratic elections," said Artis Pabriks, former Foreign Minister of Latvia, who heads the election observation mission.

"At the same time, I would like to underscore the findings of previous missions and the hope that this election process will see a clear separation between party and state."

The mission was deployed following an invitation from the Speaker of Parliament and consists of 13 international experts based in Podgorica and 14 long-term observers, who will be observing throughout the country. These experts and observers come from 20 OSCE participating States.

The mission will assess the compliance of these elections with the commitments agreed to by all 56 OSCE participating States, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely examine the work of the election administration and government bodies, campaign activities, media coverage and environment, the legislative framework, and the resolution of election-related disputes.

Additionally, the OSCE/ODIHR requested participating States to send 100 short-term observers, who will arrive shortly before election day to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

Although there are concurrent local elections in four municipalities, the OSCE/ODIHR will only follow them to the extent that they may impact upon the parliamentary elections.

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro operate separately under their specific mandates.