EU to deploy 150 election observers for Zim polls

Harare (New Ziana)-The European Union (EU) will deploy 150 observers for Zimbabwe’s harmonised elections with the first group expected in the country mid-July.

Speaking at a signing ceremony between EU mission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the administrative arrangements guiding the observation of 2023 elections, head of mission to Zimbabwe, Jobst von Kirchmann said the team would be impartial and will comply with all set regulations.

“With the service provider of the EOM (Election Observer Mission) arriving in Harare the first week of July, the Core Team of the EU EOM will consist of 11 election experts that will arrive in Zimbabwe shortly after. Towards the end of July, 46 Long-Term Observers will join the mission and are to be deployed across the country to follow the electoral campaign. 44 Short-Term Observers are also foreseen to be deployed closer to election-day. Finally, a number of Locally Recruited Short-Term Observers from the EU Member States accredited in Zimbabwe may integrate the mission on Election Day. The EU EOM will remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process.

“It is an important moment where we will be able to deploy an election observer mission. This is tangible proof of the relationship we have. It’s a sign of commitment for Zimbabwe that it will hold credible, peaceful and fair elections,” he said.

Kirchman also announced that Fabio Castaldo, a Member of the European Parliament, would be Chief Observer for the EU elections observer mission to Zimbabwe.

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa invited those interested, including the EU, to observe the elections from the pre-election stage right through elections to the post elections stage.

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof Amon Murwira said among other international organisations, the EU is one of the entities invited to observe the upcoming harmonized elections.

“The EU EOM and its members will maintain strict impartiality, objectivity and independence in the conduct of their mandate. All EU EOM observers shall respect the Code of Conduct in terms of the First Schedule of the Zimbabwe Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13].

“In conclusion, the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe is inviting all entities to come and observe the Harmonized Elections. The teams are however reminded that their purpose is solely to observe not to monitor the election processes,” he said.

New Ziana