Mission at a glance
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Head of Mission: Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens (Germany)
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Core team from seven participating States, based in Podgorica
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12 long-term observers deployed throughout the country
Mission schedule
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14 September: Opening press conference
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19 September: Deployment of long-term observers
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14 October: Election day
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15 October: Press conference on preliminary findings and conclusions
Following an official invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of Montenegro, and based on the findings and conclusions of a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM), the OSCE/ODIHR has deployed a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM) for the 14 October 2012 early parliamentary elections.
Elections will be conducted to elect 81 members of parliament for a term of four years. The legal framework for the conduct of early parliamentary elections will be held under revised legal framework, including the newly amended election law.
Long-term observation
The LEOM, which has commenced its activities in Podgorica on 14 September, is headed by Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens (Germany) and consists of core team based in Podgorica. Twelve long-term observers are expected to arrive on 17 September August and to be deployed to the regions of the country.
The mission will assess these elections for compliance with principles for democratic electoral processes, including commitments agreed to by all the OSCE participating States, as well as national legislation. Observers will follow campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legislative framework, and the resolution of election disputes. As part of the observation, the LEOM will conduct a comprehensive monitoring of the media.
Previous elections
The OSCE/ODIHR has observed elections in Montenegro since 1997, most recently in 2009.
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
