OSCE Ambassador Hrebickova: Good communication between Ministry of Interior and State Election Commission is important for preparation of upcoming elections

Podgorica, Montenegro (21 June 2016) – Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Montenegro will continue to provide strong support to the Ministry of Interior and the State Election Commission (SEC) in the coordination and planning of fair and free elections, it was said after the meeting of Interior Minister Goran Danilović and Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Janina Hrebickova.

The main topic of the discussion was the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Interior and the SEC in the coming period of preparation for the elections and the way of meeting commitments of the two institutions.

Minister Danilović informed the Ambassador about the planned pilot project that would include improvised voting in cities in the north, in order for the entire election and voting process to be checked on time.

According to the Minister, in this way two months before the election, possible difficulties in the implementation of Election Day would be identified and the citizens would build trust in the process after they become familiar with it.

OSCE Ambassador pointed out that good communication between the Ministry of Interior and the SEC, as key institutions in preparation for the elections, was necessary, adding that the role of NGOs in the whole process was also very important.

Ambassador Hrebickova presented to the Minister future OSCE activities in Montenegro, noting that this organisation will provide technical assistance and mentoring to Montenegro, especially in terms of security and exercising the rights and freedoms of citizens.