European Union Election Observation Mission to Liberia deploys 40 Short-Term Observers (STOs) bringing the total number to around 100, this was announced in Monrovia at the weekend.
With four days to the October 10 polls, the EU Observation Mission to Liberia (EU EOM) at the weekend (Friday, October 6, 2023) announced the latest deployment.
A delegation of seven members of the European Parliament headed by Mr. Leopoldo Lopez Gil and around twenty diplomats from EU Member States accredited in Liberia will also be integrated into the mission.
Speaking during the deployment Friday, October 6, 2023, in Monrovia, EU EOM Deputy Chief Observer, Jarke Domanski noted that the election observers come from 27 different EU member states as well as Canada, and Norway bringing the total number of EU observers on election day to around hundred.
“Our teams have been observing the electoral process for a month now. LTOs have engaged with 18 of the 19 magisterial election offices and have held meetings in 64 out of 73 electoral districts to date”, Deputy Chief Observer Jarke Domanski noted.
According to Deputy Chief Observer Jarke Domanski, EU observers will on election day follow all election-related activities at various polling places and voting precincts across the fifteen counties.
“They will observe the opening of polling places and will assess the electoral environment in which the General Elections take place. After the closure of voting, EU observers will also follow the counting, result-tabulation process until publication of results” the deputy Chief Observer said.
The EU Election Observation Mission will present its preliminary statement of findings in a press conference shortly after Election Day.
A Final Report offering recommendations to enhance future electoral processes will be presented after completion of the entire election process.
He maintained that the EU has an established methodology for observing elections where Observers will not interfere in the electoral process and have no authority to change or correct any shortcomings.
The Deputy Chief Observer explained during the deployment that EMO All EU election observers are bound by a strict code of conduct and ethical guidelines that guarantee their neutrality and impartiality.
“The EU EOM evaluates according to international standards and operates by the ‘Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation’ adopted at the United Nations in 2005 by several international bodies involved in election observation. The main objectives of EU Election Observations are the support of the democratic process in partner countries, to enhance public confidence in the electoral process, and to strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of law,” the EU Deputy Chief Observer explained.
The EU EOM evaluates according to international standards and operates in accordance with the ‘Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation’ adopted at the United Nations in 2005 by a number of international bodies involved in election observation.
According to an EU-ECOM press release, the main objectives of EU Election Observations are the support of the democratic process in partner countries, to enhance public confidence in the electoral process and to strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of law.