The discussion on open electoral lists should be initiated regardless of the complexity of applying that model, according to Democratic Montenegro.
The general secretary of the Democrats, Boris Bogdanović, when asked whether the working group for the reform of the electoral legislation should discuss open lists, said that it is completely expected and acceptable that the issue of the electoral model on the basis of which deputies and councilors will be elected in the next the convocation of the Assembly of Montenegro, that is, the assemblies of municipalities in Montenegro.
"Therefore, we should also initiate a conversation about open lists, regardless of the complexity of applying such a model," Bogdanović said for the MINA agency.
The General Secretary of the Civil Movement URA, Mileta Radovanić, said that open lists in the electoral system would break the monopoly of the party-state and party leaders, increase the responsibility of elected representatives towards the citizens and condition a greater degree of direct democracy.
"However, I believe that at this moment the closed lists are not the biggest problem of the electoral process," Radovanić told the MINA agency.
He believes that it is good to have open lists, but that before that there must be a refined voter list, a better and professional State Election Commission, the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and other institutions that monitor the election process.
"Otherwise, the lists are open to us in vain, if we are going to create a majority again by buying votes, pressuring voters, inventing support," said Radovanić.
According to him, Montenegro must work hard to improve the electoral environment in order to respect the Constitution and realize the true right and opportunity of citizens to be elected and to vote freely.
"That would be the first step towards achieving free elections, the next would be open lists and preferential voting," pointed out Radovanić.
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