Đukanović: The question is whether we are so frivolous that we needlessly change the same law twice in a few months

A roundtable discussion will be held in the Parliament today, at 11 a.m., on the topic of the Draft Law on Financing Political Entities and Election Campaigns and the Draft Amendments to the Law on the Election of Councilors and Representatives.

Guesting on "Colors of Morning", political analyst Nikoleta Đukanović assessed that electoral reform in Montenegro is being implemented in a rapid and inadequate manner, without a comprehensive approach and broader public debate.

She warned that the proposed amendments to the Law on the Election of Councilors and Representatives only cover technical issues, such as the professionalization of election administration and the consolidation of local elections into one day, while key areas, such as gender quotas, minority rights, and accessibility for people with disabilities, remain neglected.

"I think that this approach is very bad because you cannot make changes to the law in such a short period of time and on the other hand, it is absurd that there is a country in which the same law is changed several times in a few months. Because their intention is to change the law now in relation to holding elections in one day and professionalizing the work of the current SEC, and to make other changes in the fall. Now the question is whether we are so frivolous that we are unnecessarily changing the same law twice in a few months or is it actually a ticket to making only these changes and not the others, which could be a solution. Holding elections in one day - I think that is an excellent solution. So, an idea that can actually solve many problems in Montenegro, among other things, not completely, but also in the vast majority of that electoral engineering, or tourism or as we say. In relation to the voter list and also these changes that treat the issue of changes, or professionalization, depoliticization of the State Election Commission and partially of the municipal election commissions, it is more than excellent, but it also has some certain shortcomings. There is some intention to "The local elections are being held on the same day as the parliamentary elections. I think that this is against all the recommendations of relevant international institutions regarding the holding of elections, and on the other hand, you will somehow put such important local elections aside. The key intention is to hold these elections in 2027, and thus you will probably extend the mandate of this government for another year. And that is probably the goal of the parliamentary majority. What is a little disturbing is, regardless of the fact that this parliamentary majority has the greatest responsibility, the actions of the opposition, which is either asleep or also looks at its narrow party interests like the majority, and that is the number of municipalities in which they obviously have power, and whose mandate will be extended. Because there is simply no other explanation for how it is possible that you see 2027 as the most optimal date for holding these joint local elections," she stated.