EU Election Observation Mission Starts Deployment Mission Of 44 Long-Term Observers In Zimbabwe

June 22, 2018

By Wallace Mawire

The 44 long-term observers of the European Union Election Observation Mission to Zimbabwe will be deployed throughout the country on Saturday morning from a local hotel in  Harare, it has been confirmed.

Observers will be present in the EU EOM mission outfit with the EU EOM logo and will be leaving in a convoy from the Holiday Inn Hotel.

The EU Delegation has  prepared the ground for the deployment of an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the upcoming harmonised elections by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zimbabwean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the EU office in Harare has reported. According to the EU office in Harare, the  signature by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Sibusiso Busi Moyo and EU Ambassador Philippe Van Damme follows the invitation by the Government of Zimbabwe on 2 March 2018 for the EU to deploy an Election Observation Mission for the upcoming harmonised elections. In March 2018, the EU undertook an Exploratory Mission to determine the advisability, feasibility and usefulness of sending EU election observers to Zimbabwe. On the basis of this mission’s recommendations, Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative / Vice President of the Commission, informed Minister Moyo during his visit to Brussels on 28 April of her decision to deploy an EOM. It is the first time since 2002 that the European Union will deploy an EOM to Zimbabwe and a significant additional support to the country’s democratisation process. After the signature, Ambassador Philippe Van Damme, Head of the EU Delegation to Zimbabwe, said: “The EU welcomes the commitment of the government to peaceful, peaceful, credible, inclusive, and transparent elections. It is vitally important that an electoral environment is created conducive to freedom of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of assembly.” The Memorandum of Understanding outlines the rights and obligations of the EU Election Observation Mission. EU election observers maintain strict impartiality, objectivity and independence in the conduct of their mandate. They are bound by the Code of Conduct for EU Election Observers and also adhere to the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers and will act in accordance with the Constitution and laws in force in Zimbabwe. In addition to observing the run up to the elections and Election Day itself, the EOM will also monitor electoral complaints that may be lodged after the elections. The EU observers will be deployed nationwide. It is reported that toe long-term presence of the Observation Mission will allow it to make an impartial and comprehensive assessment of the electoral process and environment, as well as of the conduct of the elections themselves. In their work, the EU EOM will liaise closely with all key stakeholders, as well as with other international observation missions and domestic observers. Also the Heads of Mission of the EU and Switzerland have reaffirmed their commitment to continued support to peaceful, inclusive, credible and transparent 2018 harmonised elections in Zimbabwe. It is reported that in light of the upcoming primary elections to select candidates of political parties, the Heads of Mission encourage all political parties to adhere to principles of mutual respect and tolerance in order to contribute to a peaceful, just and democratic society. In particular, the Heads of Mission wish to emphasise the constitutional right of women to equal treatment and opportunities as well as full participation in the political sphere. The Heads of Mission have further urged all parties and their supporters to respect the democratic principles and to act in a non-violent and peaceful manner and called on all stakeholders to condemn all types of violence and intimidation clearly and unequivocally during the candidature selection.