Podgorica - Montenegrins go to the polls Sunday to vote for the next parliament, with Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic apparently set to extend his administration into a third decade.

Djukanovic, 47, and his Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) called the election 18 months early to secure another four-year term saying they need it to implement reforms for closer ties with the European Union.

Critics accused Djukanovic, who has ruled Montenegro with the DPS since 1991, of moving to secure power before effects of the global financial crisis and economic mismanagement bring the fragile economy to its knees.

The DPS-led coalition was tipped to win an absolute majority at least partly owing to the opposition's failure to capitalize on Montenegrin economic woes and scandals, such as an Italian probe into Djukanovic's alleged links with international organized crime.

In September 2006, Djukanovic's bloc claimed 41 out of the 81 seats, with pre-election surveys again projecting a better-than-half result for it.

The 494,000 registered voters will be able to cast ballots between 8 am and 9 pm (0700-2000 GMT). First projections are expected a few hours after the voting ends. (dpa)