AU deploys election observers for Malagasy presidential elections

ADDIS ABABA. — The African Union (AU) on Tuesday announced that it has deployed observation mission in Madagascar for the presidential election scheduled to take place in the country on the November 7, 2018.

The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has authorised the AU election observation mission (AUEOM) being deployed in the country in two phases, according to a statement from AU on Tuesday.

Eight long-term election experts have been deployed since October 16 and will stay until December 21. Another batch of short-term observers will be deployed in the second phase on November 1.

The objectives of the mission include among others, providing an accurate and impartial reporting of the quality of the presidential election. It also provides recommendations for improvement of future elections based on the findings.

Madagascar’s President Hery Rajaonarimampianina resigned on September 7 to participate in the upcoming presidential election.

According to the Malagasy Constitution, an incumbent president needs to resign from post 60 days ahead of the election if the president seeks a re-election. – Xinhua