SEC: PES can propose another presidential candidate, those who signed Spajić can also support him

The State Election Commission (SEC) has issued an opinion that the Europe Now Movement (PES) can propose another presidential candidate, after the candidacy of their leader Milojko Spajić was not confirmed.

In the request submitted to the SEC, PES also asked for an opinion on whether Spajić can withdraw his candidacy and how such a possible decision would affect the right of PES to nominate a candidate for president again.

SEC member Aleksandar Jovićević said that Spajić cannot withdraw his candidacy but the statement by which he agreed to be a candidate, and that citizens should be allowed to support another candidate.

The President of the SEC, Nikola Mugoša, said that PES has the right to register another candidate, and that the same voters can support the new candidate.

Mugoša said that, bearing in mind that the Movement of Europe has already proposed a candidate whose candidacy has not been determined, with the expiry of the deadlines related to the appeal before the Constitutional Court, his candidate status has not been finally determined and in this sense PES can propose a new candidate.

He explained that Spajić's candidacy for the president of Montenegro has not been determined, and in a formal and legal sense, he cannot withdraw his candidacy, but he can withdraw a written statement that he accepts that candidacy, which would allow PES to propose a new candidate.

"In relation to the opinion of whether voters who signed their support for a candidate whose candidacy has not been determined can support new candidates, they can do so, after the decision on not confirming the candidacy for Milojko Spajić becomes final," said Mugoša.

He clarified that citizens can support another candidate, but that the entire documentation provided for this candidate, bearing in mind that it is found on the forms signed by the voters, and that on those forms the name and surname of Milojko Spajić as and his other data, those forms cannot be used in the new procedure:

"But those voters can support the eventual new candidate of the Europe Now Movement," said Mugoša.

The elections for the President of Montenegro are scheduled for March 19.