EU observers speak out on elections

GASABO - The European Union election observer mission currently deployed in Rwanda for the September parliamentary elections will stick to their mandate of observing the elections. This was revealed by the mission’s Press and Public outreach officer, Mathias Eick yesterday. In an exclusive interview with Sunday Times at Hotel Novotel, Eick said that the mission will only observe the elections and will not interfere in the process. “This is a Rwandan affair and we respect it,” said Eick. He said that the mission is in the country on invitation of the government and that they have an agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Electoral Commission (NEC). The agreement allows them to meet with voters, candidates, officers of the NEC and government officials. He added that the Rwanda leadership clearly understands their mission in the country. Eick revealed that the observers who are already in the country have been able to move freely around the country and have been given all information they need. “Meetings are happening and information is being received”. The mission has been in the field since August 1 and has been meeting NEC local representatives, candidates, voters and liaising with local authorities to know the location of polling stations. He noted that the mission is in a good partnership with NEC. Eick also explained that they have since last Thursday been carrying out an information and outreach campaign through Radio stations, for purposes of explaining their mandate how they came to be in Rwanda, and activities to the entire population and most especially those in the rural areas. The mission uses an internationally recognized observation methodology and will publish a preliminary statement which will give an initial assessment of the electoral process within 48 hours of the elections. He also revealed that on Election Day, they will have some 90 election observers in the country, among them seven members of the EU parliament. The mission will be the largest international observer mission during the elections. Ends