Montenegro's ruling coalition has taken a strong lead in Sunday's parliamentary election.

Exit polls show the center-left Democratic Party of Socialists, led by veteran political Milo Djukanovic, won 46 percent of the vote, which would extend their 20-year hold on power in the former Yugoslav republic.

The exit polls showed the lead opposition Democratic Front taking only 20 percent of the vote.

Sunday's vote comes as Montenegro seeks membership in the European Union and battles a deep economic crisis.