The European Union will deploy an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the 2019 polls in Tunisia, f the EU Delegation to Tunisia said in a statement released Friday evening.
“Following an invitation from the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE), the EU will deploy an Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the presidential and legislative polls in Tunisia due September 15 and October 6, 2019, respectively. This decision is part of the continuation of the EU’s support policy to the democratic transition in Tunisia started since 2011,” the statement reads.
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini appointed Member of the European Parliament Fabio Massimo Castaldo as Chief Observer, adds the same source.
As quoted as saying in the press release, Mogherini pointed out: “This year’s presidential and legislative polls are another important stage in the process of democratic transition in Tunisia; Tunisia is a privileged partner of the EU and support it in this path is a major priority for us, as testified to by the dispatching of Election Observation Missions in 2011, 2014 and 2018. This new EOM under the leadership of Mr Fabio Massimo Castaldo, who well knows the Tunisian context for having led the Mission in 2018, confirms the EU’s unwavering commitment to the Tunisian democracy.”
Chief Observer of the EU EOM Tunisia Fabio Massimo Castaldo stated that he had been “at the same time honoured and very pleased to lead an EU EOM again for this important moment in Tunisia’s history. This new invitation to observe the polls testifies to the confidence prevailing in the relations binding the EU and Tunisia and the decision to deploy a Mission proves the EU’s commitment to supporting Tunisia in its democratic consolidation path.”
According to the press release, a core team of 10 electoral analysts will be based in Tunis as of August 23, It will be joined on September 2 by 28 long-term observers who will be deployed throughout the country, and 28 short-term observers will reinforce the team during the various election days. The EU EOM will maintain close communication with all other international and national election observation missions.
“The EU EOM operates independently in a neutral manner. Its observers are required to abide by a code of conduct that complies with international standards in matters of election observation as well as the Code of Conduct for National and Foreign Observers by the ISIE. The role of the mission is to observe and analyse the entire electoral process in order to carry out an impartial, neutral and objective assessment of the elections. The analysis will be based on national and international standards and commitments made by Tunisia in terms of democratic elections. Following the ballot, the EU EOM will publicly present a preliminary statement setting out its preliminary findings on the electoral process. A full analytical report will be published later. This report will include recommendations for upcoming elections.”
TunisianMonitorOnline
