To:
CC:
Heads of OSCE PA Delegations
Secretaries of OSCE PA Delegations
21 July 2020
Dear Heads of Delegations,
Parliamentary elections are planned to take place in Montenegro on 30 August 2020. Following
an invitation to observe these elections, and as noted during the 7 July Standing Committee
meeting, the President has decided to deploy a Special Limited Election Observation Mission to
these important elections to work closely with expected teams from the OSCE/ODIHR and the
Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly.
Due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be a
special limited mission of no more than 20 Members, and will deploy exclusively in the capital
region of Podgorica. I note that the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and
responses to it, including to Members’ abilities to travel, could present a challenge to the
deployment of a mission, and we will keep the feasibility of the mission under review.
In accordance with the attached OSCE PA Election Observation Guidelines, national
Delegations wishing to nominate their members to participate in this mission are kindly asked to
complete and return to the International Secretariat at ([email protected]) as soon as possible,
but no later than
Friday, 7 August 2020
the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Delegation Nomination Form,
An Individual Observer Nomination Form for each nominated observer,
A signed Statement of Nominated Election Observer for each nominated observer,
A signed Code of Conduct for each nominated observer,
A copy of the photograph page from each nominated observer’s passport.
Please note that in accordance with the Guidelines nominated observers are not part of an
observation mission before they have been appointed by the OSCE PA President. In appointing
Members to this Special Limited Election Observation Mission, the President can take
appropriate steps to balance the composition and to preserve a political and geographical balance
of Members within the mission. The International Secretariat will communicate the list of
observers to delegations that have forwarded nominations following appointment by the OSCE
PA President. Due to registration procedures, we may not be able to accommodate those who
register after the deadline.
As a result of the COVID-19 response, a number of travel restrictions are in place in many
countries, and Members are requested to consult with the appropriate authorities regarding travel
procedures and access to the country. The International Secretariat will maintain close contact
with the authorities of Montenegro to ensure compliance with local health regulations and
guidelines, and observers can expect some significant adjustments to mission procedures. The
mission will work to put in place disease mitigation measures including social distancing where
possible, however participants should understand that observation is a physical practice requiring
close interaction with a wide range of people. Observers are expected to comply with all national
laws and regulations of the host country, including health regulations; please note that there may
be additional costs related to compliance with health measures required by the authorities of
_________________
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