ODIHR welcomes Montenegro's readiness to consider further improvements to referendum law

WARSAW, 9 March 2001 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) welcomes Montenegro Parliament Speaker Svetozar Marovic's comments on 7 March that the recently adopted Referendum Law could be amended to remedy remaining shortcomings and concerns.

Based on its mandate to provide technical assistance to governments on election issues, the OSCE/ODIHR commented on the draft Referendum Law of Montenegro in January, recommending certain improvements based on international standards for democratic electoral practices. The report was submitted to the Parliament of Montenegro, political parties, relevant ministries, and the electoral authorities. This purely technical report was not an endorsement in substance of a possible referendum.

The OSCE/ODIHR concluded that the draft Referendum Law represented "a substantial improvement" over the previous law, but still included some important shortcomings, in particular in adequately ensuring transparency in the counting and tabulation of the results. Accordingly, the OSCE/ODIHR made some two dozen specific recommendations for further improvements.

In addition to the report submitted, the OSCE/ODIHR has recommended to the authorities of Montenegro the merits of a qualified majority vote in a referendum. This recommendation was based on best international practice to promote stability rather than agreed international standards.

The Referendum Law was adopted by Parliament on 19 February, incorporating some of OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, but not all. The OSCE/ODIHR will publish shortly further comments on the final version of the Law.

For further information contact Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR Spokesperson, or Konrad Olszewski, OSCE/ODIHR Election Officer, at +48-22-5200600.