EU to send over 130 election observers

Maputo, 23 Aug (AIM) – The European Union ambassador to Mozambique, Antonino Maggiore, has announced that the EU will send a mission of more than 130 observers to monitor the presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections scheduled for 9 October.

Speaking on Thursday in the Maputo municipal district of KaTembe, Maggiore said the EU observers would work before, during and after the voting.

“The role of this mission is to monitor the situation to know how the elections will happen, so that it can make an assessment that will be presented to the government and to the public”, he said.

Maggiore described the EU as a “strategic partner” of Mozambique, which was why it had decided to send an observation mission. The mission was part of the EU’s “support for the strengthening of democracy”.

The official election campaign begins on Saturday, and on Friday the chairperson of the National Elections Commission (CNE), Anglican Bishop Carlos Matsinhe, broadcast a message calling on all candidates and political parties “to respect the norms established for the election campaign and to embrace socially acceptable civic behavior”.

Matsinhe made the standard pre-election call for a non-violent campaign, urging all participants to exercise their rights “in a peaceful, tolerant, ethical, tranquil and respectful manner, without intimidation, and without bloodshed”.

(AIM)

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