Čarapić: The biggest challenges are the introduction of open lists and cleaning the voter register

The introduction of open lists and cleaning up the voter register are the biggest challenges in the continuation of the reform of electoral legislation, according to the conference "End of story or new beginning?", organized by the Center for Democratic Transition.

The President of the Committee for Comprehensive Electoral Reform, Vasilije Čarapić, said that the electoral reform "had a halfway point" and that now was the time to finish the job.

"We have a job that is challenging, but there are only a few major issues that are politically tense that need to be agreed upon," added Čarapić.

He said that by the end of the year, among other things, the law on political parties should be changed.

"It is a law that relies on the system of the 90s and has its roots in communism," Čarapić said.

Čarapić said that the two biggest political challenges are the introduction of open lists and the cleaning of the voter register.

He said that he does not think there will be much pressure from the international community for these two reforms.

Čarapić believes that there is no political will to resolve such major issues, such as open lists and cleaning the voter register, by the end of the year, but that there is to resolve other important matters.

He said that the Europe Movement will not give up on cleaning up the voter register and open lists now.

"If we don't have allies now, maybe we will have some next time. Maybe we will find another way to deal with it," adds Čarapić.

Čarapić said that a rule should be introduced that if someone moves out of Montenegro, they should deregister their residence.

Committee Co-Chair Nikola Rakočević said that it now depends on political will whether the second phase of electoral reform will be successful.

"The first phase was successful for several reasons, the most important of which is the expertise of the civil sector, together with some MPs, and the pressure of the international community. If the European Commission (EC) had not placed electoral reform for future membership in the European Union (EU) high on the agenda, the electoral reform would not have happened," said Rakočević.

He said that a fundamentally important electoral reform for citizens is coming, namely open lists and the direct election of municipal presidents and two mayors.

"At least two political groups, both in power, do not want that type of reform, it is not just my assessment but also their position," said Rakočević.

He said that a direct statement from these groups on these two issues is needed.

Rakočević said that because of this, he cannot be optimistic that the second phase of electoral reform will be completely successful.

"Here, there will be arguments over open lists and the direct election of municipal presidents and two mayors," said Rakočević.

He said that it is in the major political interest of exponents from the region to have their own contingents of voters and thus shape the election result in Montenegro.

Rakočević, speaking about the continuation of the Committee's work, said that he believes they have the capacity to deliver results.

"We should not go that route, we should try to resolve the issue by the end of December and resolve it to the extent possible. Now that part of the work has been done and it is clear that if we do not complete the work, it will not be because we lack time but political will," said Rakočević.

He said that it was necessary to set priorities and agree on a date by the end of December when all the changes they had adopted would be voted on.

Rakočević said that the professionalization of the Central Election Commission (CEC) is perhaps one of the largest reforms yet to come.

He stated that the opposition's intention is for the CEC not to be a completely party-based commission and that they will advocate for the commission's sessions to be public.