Fiona Hall heads EU Election Observation Mission to Mozambique (Greg Stone)

Fiona Hall heads EU Election Observation Mission to Mozambique

October 23, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by Fiona Hall MEP

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Following receipt of an invitation by the Government of Mozambique, the European Union has organised an Electoral Observation Mission (EU EOM) to observe the presidential, legislative and provincial assemblies elections scheduled for 28 October.

The Chief Observer of the EU EOM is Ms. Fiona Hall, member of the European Parliament, who has participated in various EU EOM and has been Chief Observer in Togo. On her arrival in Maputo, Ms. Hall expressed her satisfaction to be in Mozambique and to head the EU EOM:

"It is with great pleasure that I am the Chief Observer for the European observation mission in Mozambique for these important elections which are followed with interest by the EU."

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, said: "I am pleased that we have been able to deploy an EU EOM to Mozambique for the third time. These general and provincial elections are crucial for the consolidation of the democratisation process in the Republic of Mozambique. . It is essential that these elections are conducted in a credible and transparent manner and in accordance with international and regional standards. I firmly believe that through the EOM, the EU can greatly contribute to enhancing confidence at all stages of the election process."

The EU EOM mandate is to produce an informed and detailed assessment of the entire electoral process. It analyses it from the registration of voters all the way to the publication of results and the final settlement of eventual electoral appeals. To this end, the EU EOM works in a professional and independent manner. It is not expected to produce opinion publicly about the process before its preliminary statement and its final report. Throughout its presence in the country, it observes to what extent the entire electoral process is conducted in accordance with the laws of Mozambique and the internationally accepted democratic standards also embraced by the country.

In total, the EU EOM will deploy over 100 observers in the country. The core team of seven (7) members arrived in Maputo on the 22 September. On the 2 October, 24 Long Term Observers (LTOs) arrived in the country, to cover all the provinces of Mozambique, one team of two observers in each province. The LTOs will professionally observe every aspect of the electoral process, including the political campaign period, the election day and the counting and tabulation. To observe election day, approximately 70 Short Term Observers (STOs) are expected to join the mission to observe voting and counting. Also associated to this group will be a group of representatives from the EU diplomatic missions in Mozambique and associated states - Switzerland, Norway and Canada, of approximately 30 people.

The electoral observers shall obey an internationally accepted code of conduct and respect the laws of Mozambique. The EU EOM works independently with a view to offering an impartial, balanced and informed evaluation of the election, including its legal framework, administrative management, the political environment, the conduct of the media as well as an assessment of the voting, counting and tabulation processes. The mission will also closely follow eventual settlement of appeals.

Two days after election day, the EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement of its initial findings. An analytical final report will be published two months after the end of the elections. It will be a comprehensive and detailed report on the entirety of the electoral process. It will also include recommendations for future elections.

The EU EOM are an important instrument for building confidence in the democratic process of a country and are deployed in line with the EU´s commitment to promote democracy, human rights and respect for the rule of law. The mission operates in accordance with the "Declaration of principles for International Election Observation", commemorated in 2005, at the United Nations, by international bodies involved in electoral observation.

For further information, please contact EOM EU Press Officer, Fernanda Lopes: 822938906, fernanda.abreu-lopes@eueom-mozambique-eu

Greg Stone