The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Zimbabwe has said that it will base its assessments of the upcoming elections on direct observation rather than hearsay or speculation.
The EOM’s Deputy Chief Observer, Dr Beata Martin-Rozumilowicz, said that the mission would not interfere with the electoral process in any way, but would simply observe and report on its findings.
“We do not use any hearsay or rumours in our assessments,” Dr Martin-Rozumilowicz said. “We also don’t correct any shortcomings while the process is ongoing nor do we endorse the results or make any other statements about the quality of the elections until the respective stages are all completed.”
Following the deployment of their core team on July 18, 2023, Dr Martin-Rozumilowicz said 46 long-term observers were deployed last week and on Election Day, 44 short-term observers will also be added.
“Overall our election observation mission expects to comprise more than 150 observers from all 27 of its member states as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland,” she said.
The EOM’s mandate is to assess all aspects of the electoral process before, during, and after Election Day, and to analyse the extent to which these elections are in line with international and regional standards for elections.
“We will be observing the voting, counting, tabulation of results, and the environment in which the elections are conducted throughout the country,” Dr Martin-Rozumilowicz said. “We will also be following the complaints and appeals process.”
The EOM’s preliminary statement will be released two days after the elections, and a final report with recommendations will be delivered two months later.
Dr Martin-Rozumilowicz stressed that the EOM’s role is to provide an independent and impartial assessment of the electoral process, and that it does not seek to interfere with the process in any way.
“We are here to observe, not to interfere,” she said. “These are the elections of the Zimbabwean people.”
