65% believe that elections in Montenegro are fully or partially free and fair, which represents a significant improvement compared to the 2023 survey, when 58% of respondents held this view. Furthermore, almost 43% of respondents believe that Montenegro should continue electoral reform, while 22% express distrust in vote-counting procedures, highlighting the need for further efforts to strengthen confidence.
These are some of the findings of the survey "Public Trust in Elections in Montenegro" , commissioned by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and conducted by the Damar Institute on a representative national sample of 1,200 respondents, from 24 November to 7 December 2025.
The survey examined attitudes toward certain segments of electoral reform in Montenegro, covering issues that are directly or indirectly related to the implementation of the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations addressed to Montenegro, as well as recommendations from NGOs monitoring electoral processes.
The findings point to generally positive perceptions of the voting process, with 51% of citizens finding voting procedures simple, while more than one third view them as partially simple. In addition, a majority of respondents report being well informed about how to vote, reflecting improvements in voter awareness over time. Around 42% of respondents believe that the voters' register contains accurate data, an improvement compared to 2023, when only 31% believed that the voters' register was accurate.
"These findings show that trust in elections is gradually strengthening, but also underline the importance of continuing reforms and maintaining public engagement," assessed Head of the OSCE Mission, Ambassador Jan Haukaas.
Since 2021, the Mission has commissioned surveys to provide evidence-based insights into public perceptions of elections, including the work of election administration bodies, electoral reform, and media coverage. The Mission has been supporting electoral processes since 2016 and remains the only international organisation providing continuous assistance to election management bodies, with the aim of enhancing its transparency and inclusiveness.
