BY ZIMLIVE
The European Union (EU) has pledged impartial observation to Zimbabwean elections and a commitment to efforts aimed towards restoring citizen confidence in polls.
In a statement Thursday, Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced the rich bloc has accepted Zimbabwe’s invitation to observe its polls.
He further announced Fabio Castaldo, a Member of the European Parliament, would be Chief Observer for this mission.
“The deployment of an EU Election Observation Mission to the general elections in Zimbabwe shows the EU’s commitment to support democracy and the rule of law.
“Under the leadership of Chief Observer Castaldo, the EU EOM will contribute to enhancing citizens’ trust in the process and to further strengthening Zimbabwe’s democratic institutions,” Borrell said.
On his part, Castaldo put a commitment to leading a team that shall be impartial to the poll observation.
“On the basis of an impartial and objective assessment of the election process, we hope to continue working with the Zimbabwean authorities after the elections to encourage the implementation of the observation mission’s recommendations.
“The EU can play a pivotal role in this process, and we will always be by the side Zimbabwean people.”
The EU observer mission is taking part in its second such Zimbabwe assignment since President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018 lifted a ban that had previously been imposed on the group by predecessor Robert Mugabe who cited inherent bias against his party Zanu PF by the bloc’s agents.
The EU mission to the August 23 poll will consist 11 election experts and 46 long-term observers
They will be joined by 44 short-term observers closer to election day, as well as a number of locally-recruited observers from EU member states.
The observers will monitor the electoral process from start to finish and will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference after the elections.
A final report, which will include a set of recommendations for future electoral processes, will be released after the completion of the entire electoral process.