EU to observe elections in Egypt
Summary: 30 April 2014, Brussels - The European Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Egypt for the Presidential Elections scheduled on 26-27 May 2014, in response to an invitation by the authorities. The EU has been calling for credible, and transparent elections, allowing universal participation, according to international standards.
The EOM acts in line with the Memorandum of Understanding concluded with the Presidential Electoral Committee (PEC) and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, allowing for unhindered movement of observers throughout the country, security situation permitting, as well as for access to all legal political interlocutors.
In line with the standard methodology used throughout the world, the EOM is independent and will conduct an impartial assessment of the electoral process on the basis of all relevant elections' standards.
Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, appointed Mario David, Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer for this EOM.
A Core Team of ten EU election analysts arrived in Cairo on 18 April; they were joined by 30 long-term observers on 25 April. 60 short-term observers will be deployed on 21 May. A number of local short term observers (EU MS diplomats) and a delegation from the European Parliament will be embedded in the EOM.
The EOM will issue a Preliminary Statement shortly after election day, and a Final Report a few weeks after final results are published.