[ Montenegro ]

The campaign was for the most part calm, orderly and low-key, but the campaign climate deteriorated during the last days. Opposition candidates complained of undue pressure on voters and candidates. Allegations of vote buying, one of which was substantiated, tainted the campaign environment. A diverse media covered the campaign thoroughly, but broadcasters, including public television, concentrated their coverage on the ruling parties.

The legal framework provides an adequate basis for the conduct of elections, but contrary to international standards and practice, the Election Law was amended after the elections were called. Some of the amendments included limitations on freedom of speech and expression. Furthermore, the mandate allocation is not fully transparent, as it only requires parties to allocate half of the seats according to the order of candidates on the electoral list.

Some 200 observers from 41 countries monitored the vote and the count. Election day was assessed positively in 98 per cent of polling stations visited. Counting was assessed less positively, with eight per cent characterized negatively, mainly due to procedural irregularities, indicating that further training of polling board members is needed.

For more information, cf. the OSCE webpage. Photo source: OSCE