EU Election Observation Mission deploys 40 Long-Term Observers

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Ghana has deployed 40 Long-Term Observers (LTOs) across the country.

The observers are being deployed to all the 16 regions and will focus on both rural and urban areas.

A statement issued by the EU EOM quoted the mission’s Deputy Chief Observer, Marian Gabriel, as saying: “In the course of their work they will meet local electoral officials, candidates and representatives from political parties in each region, as well as civil society and the media.”

The number of observers was to enable the mission to cover the country’s expanded number of regions.

Election day

The statement noted that on election day, the mission would be supplemented across the country by 30 Locally recruited Short-Term Observers (LSTOs) drawn from the diplomatic community.

“This will bring the number of EU observers on polling day to over 80 from EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland,” it stated.

The statement said the EU EOM, whose Chief Observer was a Member of the European Parliament from Spain, Mr Javier Nart, would issue a preliminary statement shortly after the elections.

“A final report, with recommendations for future elections, will be published later,” it added.

Mandate

The EU EOM’s mandate is to conduct an independent and comprehensive analysis of the election process.

“It will also assess the extent to which the process complies with Ghana’s domestic law and international and regional standards for democratic elections. EU observers will focus on the legal framework, electoral administration, the conduct of traditional and social media, voting, counting and the collation of results,” the statement said. - #GhanaVotes2020