OSCE Mission to Montenegro clarifies role with regard to upcoming elections
PODGORICA, 4 April 2016 - In response to articles carried in various media outlets, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro would like to clarify its role regarding the upcoming elections. While the Mission has contracted an international senior-level expert to advise the State Election Commission (SEC) on their technical preparations for the parliamentary elections anticipated for this autumn, the Mission does not observe elections.
This expert is currently working with the SEC in developing training materials to be used by election commissioners for the upcoming local government election in Tivat on 17 April.
Through its senior-level technical expert, the Mission will continue its efforts in providing technical assistance to the SEC up to and including the conclusion of parliamentary elections.
The relevant institution within the OSCE responsible for election observation is the Warsaw-based OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). As per the OSCE/ODIHR's election observation methodology, during the deployment of an election related activity for parliamentary elections, a clear separation of mandates between the OSCE/ODIHR and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro will be maintained.