By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The European Union Elections Observation Mission in Liberia has vowed to impartially and independently monitor the October 10, 2023, elections, as they believe that the elections mark a significant milestone in consolidation of the Liberian democracy.
European Union Election Observation Mission to Liberia which is charged with mandate to observe all aspects of the electoral process and assess the extent to which the elections comply with international and regional commitments for elections, as well as with the laws of Liberia, on Saturday, September 9, 2023, deployed a team of twenty Long-Term Observers across the fifteen political sub-divisions of Liberia.
Speaking at the deployment ceremony at the famous Boulevard Hotel in Monrovia, the Deputy Chief Observer of the EU-EOM Jarek Domański, provided that the deployment of the elections observers follows the invitation of the government of Liberia.
He said the observers will be
led by a Chief Observer, who is expected in Liberia soon. “These elections mark a significant milestone in consolidation of Liberian democracy and the European Union Election Observation Mission will monitor the process impartially and independently. I can ensure that our team of analysts and observers will deliver an objective assessment of the upcoming electoral process,” EU-EOM Deputy Chief Observer Jarek Domański articulated.
The European diplomat also said that the observers consist of group of experts of election, political, legal, campaign finance, media and social media, and a data analysts.
The deputy chief observer recorded that on September 4, 2023, the team met with the Chairperson and Commissioners of the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC). Since that time, he said the EU EOM
had several meetings with Liberian authorities, political parties, journalists and civil society organisations.
The group of 20 Long-Term Observers joined the EU EOM on September 5, and ignited their deployment after three-days briefing, to follow up with the electoral preparations and campaign in the 15 counties of Liberia.
It was also made known by Domański that a week prior to the election day, a team of additional 40 Short-Term Observers will be deployed throughout the country, alongside a Delegation of Members of the European Parliament and around 20 diplomats from EU Member States accredited in Liberia.
The EU Election Observers are from the 27 different EU Member States, as well as Canada and Norway. They bring the number of EU Observers on Election Day to around 100.
“The EU EOM will assess the elections based on international and regional standards and commitments that Liberia has espoused, together with its national laws.
It will focus on the entire
electoral process, including an assessment of the legal framework, ele ction administration, voter registration, candidate nomination, campaigning, the media ‘s role, voting, counting, and tabulations of results, as well as the complaints and appeals process”, explained Deputy Chief Observer Jarek Domański.
It was further revealed that all EU EOM observers are bound by a code of conduct, which requires strict neutrality and non- interference.
Furthermore, Domański stated that the EU EOM undertakes its work in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and it will publish its initial findings in a preliminary statement, which will be presented in a press conference shortly after Election Day.
He said the final report that will be presented at a later stage, that will contain concrete recommendations to enhance future electoral processes.
The European Union (EU) was invited to deploy an observation mission by the Authorities of the Republic of
LIberia. The EU EOM is independent from any EU institutions or Member States or government institutions committed to remain neutral and abide by the Declaration of Princjples for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct, as well as the laws of Republic of LIberia.
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.
The main objectives of EU Election Observation 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.
