A new setback has emerged in Montenegro’s political landscape following the failure of the second public competition to elect the president and members of the Central Election Commission (CIK). The commission invalidated the process after no candidates for the presidential position met the required criteria. This development raises significant concerns regarding the implementation of the long-awaited electoral reform.
The CIK, which is chaired by Bojan Bozovic, announced that while some candidates met the requirements for membership, the process could not proceed without a proposed president. Consequently, the commission decided to announce another public competition. The members of the CIK include Nikola Rakocevic, Srdjan Vujovic, Rajka Djokovic, and Dragan Koprivica.
Implications of the Setback
Commenting on the situation, Nikoleta Djukovic, a professor at the University of Donja Gorica, assessed that the failure of the competition cannot solely be attributed to formal legal requirements. She pointed out that the number of legal experts specializing in electoral and party systems in Montenegro is relatively small. Most expertise lies within political studies, which narrows the pool of potential candidates who can meet strict formal criteria while possessing substantial knowledge of electoral processes.
Djukovic emphasized that while there is no reason to doubt the integrity of the commission members, the political dimension of selecting CIK members is unavoidable, regardless of legal assurances. She stated, “Attempts by political entities to influence the selection of ‘desirable’ or at least predictable candidates, no matter how formally limited by law, will always exist. This latent politicization further discourages qualified and independent individuals from applying.”
She also noted the broader political context, suggesting that certain actors may not currently favor entering the electoral cycle. This creates an impression that the legal conditions are set to formalize the depoliticization of the process while, in practice, prolonging and obstructing it.
According to Djukovic, the challenges lie both in the normative framework and its selective, instrumental application. She believes that any potential changes to the law would only make sense if accompanied by a clear political will to treat the CIK as an independent institution rather than a battleground for political competition. “Otherwise, even the best solutions will remain dead letters on paper,” she concluded.
Future Prospects and Optimism
In response to the failed competition, Nikola Rakocevic, a member of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) and co-chair of the Committee for Comprehensive Electoral Reform, expressed that while the law sets high standards for candidates, there is no need to consider amendments to those standards. He noted that some candidates who applied for CIK membership do meet the criteria for the position, but the commission cannot consider them without a presidential proposal.
Rakocevic confirmed that a third public call for applications will be issued, ensuring adherence to professional and legal criteria. He expressed optimism that this process would lead to the selection of a depoliticized and qualified CIK.
When asked if the repeated competition indicates a lack of qualified personnel, Rakocevic remained positive, saying, “Montenegro has enough human potential to build independent and professional institutions. The issue lies in the lack of trust in those who conduct these processes, in this case, the Assembly. The stringent criteria in the previous competitions demonstrate the commission’s determination not to compromise on the fundamental principles of expertise, experience, and depoliticization.”
The CIK will repeat the public competition as none of the candidates for president fulfilled the necessary criteria for the role. This decision was made after a meeting held on February 10, 2024. In a statement, the commission clarified that the absence of a suitable presidential candidate made it impossible to continue with the procedure required by law, effectively rendering the scoring of candidates for commission members moot.
The commission has called on all individuals meeting the necessary criteria to apply for the renewed public call, aiming to make the selection process more competitive. They expressed confidence that the transparency of their work and adherence to legal procedures would serve as a compelling argument to encourage those who previously hesitated regarding similar elections.
