Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
In response to an invitation from the Liberian authorities, the European Union has decided to deploy an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Liberia to monitor the general elections (President, House of Representatives and half of the Senate) scheduled for October 10, 2023. According to a statement issued by the European External Action Department in Brussels.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has appointed Andreas Scheider, Member of the European Parliament, as the principal observer for this mission. The EU previously deployed EOMs in Liberia in 2018, 2012, 2007 and 2002, as well as a follow-up mission Elections in 2022.
High Representative Josep Borrell stated, “The deployment of this election observation mission underscores our long-standing commitment to supporting competitive, transparent and peaceful elections in Liberia, Africa’s oldest democracy. Under the leadership of Chief Observer Andreas Scheider, the EU mission will undertake the task of providing an independent, evidence-based assessment the electoral process. The EU is a close partner of Liberia and is committed to continuing its support for democratic governance.”
Chief Observer Andreas Scheider declared: “I am honored to lead the EU Delegation to Liberia. The upcoming elections will be another defining moment in the consolidation of democracy in the country. I look forward to meeting and engaging with representatives of state institutions, traditional authorities, political parties and candidates, civil society organizations, in particular women and youth representatives and the media and others who play important roles in ensuring an electoral process that is credible, peaceful, transparent and inclusive.”
The EU Observer Mission is made up of different groups of observers. The core team consists of 10 electoral experts who will arrive in Monrovia on August 27, 2023. On September 5, 20 long-term observers will join the mission and will be deployed across the country to follow up on the electoral campaign. Then, 40 short-term observers will reinforce the mission on election day, deployed across the country. The EU Delegation will remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process.
In line with the EU methodology on election observation, the Mission will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Monrovia after the elections. A final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be submitted and shared with stakeholders after the completion of the entire electoral process.