We’re not here to judge: EU observers

Sunday Mail Reporter

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) is in the country to independently observe the electoral process, against the principles of international and regional standards that Zimbabwe has signed up to.

This was said by the EU’s chief observer, Mr Fabio Massimo Castaldo, in a statement delivered on his behalf by the mission’s deputy chief observer, Dr Beata Martin-Rozumilowicz, in Harare yesterday.

“As I mentioned, the election process is a very long process and we look at not just the election day. But I would say that we don’t seek to replicate an institution of this country; we don’t seek to replicate any organisation of this country,” he said.

“So, our role really is to look at all aspects of that process to accurately reflect on it and show it really is a mirror to the people of Zimbabwe after the elections.

“We are doing so that we appropriately and honestly reflect those elements that they themselves see as of concern, and we also seek to give a voice to the outside world so that others around the globe understand better how this election has taken place.”

The EU, he said, assesses each election on its individual merits devoid of any influence from the past EU EOM missions.

“We assess the election against the principles of international and regional standards that Zimbabwe has signed up to,” he added.

“We seek not to compare, but, of course, if there are elements which continue over time where we need to make recommendations on, we will do so for these elections as well. And we hope that after the elections, and (with) those recommendations made, there could be a robust follow-up process and an interaction between various stakeholders and the EU to try to put some of those recommendations into effect in coming months and years.”

Last week, the EU EOM deployed a team of 46 long-term election observers countrywide.