EU Election Observation Mission deploys 30 long-term observers

EU Election Observation Mission deploys 30 long-term observers

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on Sunday deployed 30 long-term observers (LTOs) throughout the country, according to a press release from the EU EOM on 11 October.
“The LTOs will cover all states, regions and territories in both, urban and rural areas. They will observe the entire electoral process prior, during and after the general election scheduled for 8 November. The observers will be meeting electoral officials, candidates and representatives from political parties, civil society and the media” explained Deputy Chief Observer Mark Stevens.
Prior to their deployment, the long-term observers received a three-day in-depth briefing in Yangon on the electoral background and political environment and other topics.
62 short-term observers and a Delegation of the European Parliament will join the LTOs shortly before the election. Together with EU diplomats the EU EOM will in total deploy on Election Day about 150 Observers from all 28 member states as well as Norway, Switzerland and Canada.
The EU EOM is led by Chief Observer Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, a Vice President of the European Parliament from Germany.
“The EU EOM conducts a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process based on a methodology developed by the EU over many years. The EU EOM is impartial and does not interfere in the electoral process”, said Mark Stevens. “The EU EOM’s analysis includes aspects such as the legal framework, the work of the election administration, the campaign activities of the candidates and political parties, the conduct of the media, the voting, counting and the tabulation of results, the resolution of election-related disputes,” elaborated the Deputy Chief Observer further. The EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement shortly after the elections.
A final report — with technical recommendations for future elections — will be published later, the statement said.