NGO representatives Mladiinfo Montenegro attended the conference on the topic “Let the free elections become a habit – Building trust in the integrity of the electoral process in Montenegro”, where it was concluded that the electoral process progressed since 2000, but it was not at a high level, because the citizens do not have a lot of confidence in him.
Zlatko Vujovic, president of the board of CEMI reminded that they are quite long monitored the electoral process in Montenegro. They make recommendations to the electoral process was better, but according to him, this process is better than in 2000. According to the survey, 40.3% of citizens have confidence in the electoral process which is extremely low. Vujovic said that advocates for reform of the electoral system and electoral legislation and that we have an inclusive approach and the electoral system in which citizens will ask.
Ivan Brajovic, Montenegrin Parliament Speaker said that the election process is something we all strive for, and that the work of the electoral environment unarpijeđenju continuous process.
“The elections of October 2016 had a turnout of 75%, which is a huge turnout for European conditions, and this would be that citizens have confidence in the electoral process,” said Brajovic.
Brajovic recalled that these elections were organized with the electronic identification of voters, which we have not in all EU countries. He noted that they have received and the comments and suggestions as to how this process should be improved, and in 2017 formed a working group, which has changed some laws. Brajović concluded stating that the non-participation in the work of the Committee only delays improvement of the electoral process and that therefore there is not much understanding for non-participation of the opposition.
Aivo Orav, EU Ambassador to Montenegro, said that the recent reports of the European Commission for Montenegro indicate that the level of trust in the electoral process remains low. According to him, the choice as a legal framework should be disclosed in a comprehensive manner. In October 2018, parliament formed a committee for further reform of election and other jurisdictions. Orav said that the Committee has yet to deliver its agenda, which should include its comprehensive electoral reform for parliamentary elections to be held within a year.
“Because of all this it is an obligation of all Montenegrin parties to participate actively in the work of the committee and to improve electoral framework,” concluded Orav.
Ranko Krivokapic, the president of the SDP who reminded that Lekic won the presidential election in 2013 against the candidate in a constitutional manner. Krivokapic said that if the government claims that the government can not change the country, then the elections are meaningless. Then, according to him, there Parliament as a place of dialogue, and today exists as a puppet institution. Krivokapic said that there is corruption in political and economic system in Montenegro and that the caretaker government was a huge step forward.
Miodrag Lekic, president of Demos recalled that democracy consists in how to exercise authority, whether it is responsible and whether it respects the laws. According to him, the EU has invested economic resources, but also its credibility, which is important when it comes to electoral matters. Lekic said that Montenegro has a unique history, but there is no democratic history. Lekic recalled the affair “Recording” which according to him, the joint process stealing the election.