The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe welcomed calm and orderly early local elections in Podgorica, Montenegro held on 29 September 2024, in a recommendation adopted during the Congress session on 26 March 2025.
Rapporteur Randi Mondorf (Denmark, R, ILDG) noted that the Congress delegation, which visited 55 polling stations, found the procedures were largely followed in polling stations and the use of electronic identification ensured greater confidence in the identification process. The delegation also welcomed the availability of mobile ballot boxes, which facilitated voting for persons with disabilities. However, the Congress delegation observed breaches of the secrecy of the vote due to the polling station layout and the lack of clear distinction between polling officials and party representatives and invited the authorities to reinforce electoral integrity.
On the overall campaign environment, the Congress further acknowledged improvements in media freedom in Montenegro, welcoming that candidates were able to campaign openly, with many participating in televised debates. At the same time, independent candidates were not allowed to stand in local elections, which is not in line with Congress Recommendation 476(2022) on the situation of independent candidates in local and regional elections. “We believe that their exclusion limits voters’ choice and restricts political competition”, the Rapporteur stressed.
The Congress called on the Montenegrin authorities to make a stronger commitment to local self-government and electoral reform and to pursue the initiative to hold all elections on the same day to prevent electoral tourism. In its resolution, the Congress undertakes to strengthen a post monitoring and electoral dialogue with the authorities of Montenegro, and in particular the Ministry of Public Administration, with the aim to improve the situation pertaining to local democracy and local elections in the country in line with the Charter and electoral standards.
Finally, the Congress highlighted other areas for improvement, such as enhancing election administration transparency, ballot box sealing, accreditation of polling station members, and stepping up regulations on social media campaigning, abuse of administrative resources and campaign financing. It also encouraged the authorities to find a quick resolution to the situation of local democracy in Šavnik where local elections have remained incomplete despite nine rounds of voting between October and December 2022.
Mediabox interview with Randi Mondorf
Observation of local elections in Podgorica, Montenegro
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