Majority of political support that exists for serious control of the electoral process in Montenegro, obligates to concrete action and it should as soon as possible to be more specific in the Parliament of Montenegro through the formation of special body to monitor pursuance of electoral legislation that would deal with all aspects of the electoral process, especially those parts that are particularly vulnerable to corruption.
This primarily includes the Law on Election of the Members of the Parliament and Deputies, but also and very careful monitoring of relevant legislation that regulates the financing of political parties before and after the election process.
The initiative which at the Parliamentary Committee on Political System got a green light and where the DPS with no surprise remained in the minority, it should be discussed at the plenum which continuation is scheduled for July 3rd.
Justifications and reasons for the formation of such body has plenty, and the last cases where the complaints of electoral irregularities were rejected in “packages” without examination by the competent institutions, show that the Parliament of Montenegro is perhaps the last address where the legality of elections can be defended and where it could be tried to find the solution for fair and transparent electoral process. Beside that, the fact that many institutions still hide the information about spending of state money is an additional reason for greater control in this field.
MANS so far on a serious of concrete examples offered numerous evidence which show how the resources from the state funds are misused in electoral purposes, and how is, through the use of various illegal mechanisms, tried to make an influence on the voters. Research of the electoral corruption and monitoring of election day despite numerous complaints about irregularities resulted in dozens of criminal complaints against perpetrator but as well against the principal, which MANS submitted to the prosecution.
Unfortunately, except partially prosecuted case of misuse of social welfare in Pljevlja, Montenegrin prosecution failed to significantly separate from the party directive and make specific steps in fight against political corruption. It is similar situation and with other state institutions responsible for the implementation and control of the electoral process – the Municipal Election Commission, the State Election Commission and the Constitutional Court.
In addition, the control by the competent Parliamentary Committee was completely inadequate, and in any way insufficient when are taken into account the extent and severity of electoral corruption in Montenegro. Above all that control did not give any concrete result when it comes to the fight against this phenomenon and the future parliamentary body will have to be much better organized.
In that regard we believe that the Parliament of Montenegro must take control role that belongs to it and it can not be a silent observer of key processes, especially not the electoral processes.
What is especially important for building confidence in the electoral process still is for Montenegro the national priority, and in that sense there are clear messages that come from Brussels that all doubts about regularity of the elections should be investigated, and that it must be enhanced adequate fight against corruption in all areas.
Unfortunately, the process of EU integration will greatly suffer if the ruling DPS continues to behave contrary, not only to the laws and regulations of Montenegro, but also in relation to the original European values and principles when it comes to democratic electoral processes.
The affair “Snapshot” and irregularities discovered on the local elections will continue to exist as a very difficult mortgage over Montenegro, all until every single case is processed and until in legislation and practice are created assumptions that the elections become more democratic and fair.
Because of that we urge the Parliament of Montenegro once again that as soon as possible forms the mentioned body so the healing process of the election process and restoration of public trust start as soon as possible.
MANS
