Parliamentary Elections, 16 October 2016

Following an official invitation to observe the parliamentary elections scheduled for 16 October 2016, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 16 to 20 May 2016, and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE/ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for these elections.

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

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM, headed by Roman Jakič, consists of 12 international experts based in Podgorica. In addition, 12 long-term observers will be deployed throughout the country from 15 September.

The OSCE/ODIHR EOM will assess these elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor voter registration, candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

Short-Term observers

The OSCE/ODIHR requests participating States to second one hundred (100) short-term observers (STOs) to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results. STOs will be deployed in multinational teams of two, under a deployment plan prepared by the OSCE/ODIHR EOM. In the interest of a broad and balanced representation among participating States, the OSCE/ODIHR requests that individual participating States nominate only up to 15 per cent of the total number of requested STOs. Please consult the information sheet and register on the STO database.

Election Day

The OSCE/ODIHR will request 100 short-term observers to be deployed immediately prior to the 16 October elections. The short-term observers will be deployed throughout the country to monitor the opening of polling stations, the voting, the counting of ballots, and the tabulation of results.

The day after the election, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately eight weeks after the end of the observation mission.

Co-operation with Other Partners

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe plan to deploy observer delegations for these elections.

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed five elections since Montenegro declared independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, most recently the 2013 presidential election.