EU Observation Mission

The EU officially launched their observation mission with a press conference and announcing that the 30 long term observers have been deployed around the country in two teams. A further 50 short term observers will be deployed closer to the election day. The EU mission has also launched a website with information on the mission. The final report of the mission will be published "shortly" after election day and posted on the website, the observation team will leave on the 21st June.

The Chief Observer is a Spanish Member of the European Parliament Jose Ignacio Salafranca Sanchez-Neyra who also led the mission in 2005. The Chief Observer called for need for the Constitutional Council to be established and deplored the fact that a universalized pre-printed ballot had not been introduced.

The main objectives of the mission are to:

Enhance public confidence in the electoral process
Deter fraud
Strengthen respect for human rights
Contribute to resolution of conflict