Malawi Elections 2009 : European Union deploys Election Observation Mission to Malawi

The European Commission will deploy an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the next Presidential and Legislative elections in the Republic of Malawi scheduled to take place on 19 May 2009. The EU EOM will consist of 55 observers, led by Ms Luisa Morgantini, Vice-president of the European Parliament and represents a further contribution by the European Commission to support democracy in the Republic of Malawi.
Benita Ferrero-Waldner, Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, said:

"I am happy that for the second time we are able to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission to the Republic of Malawi. The presidential and legislative elections in Malawi on the 19 May are crucial for the consolidation of the democratisation process in the country. Therefore it is essential that these elections are conducted in a credible and transparent manner, in accordance with international and regional standards. I am pleased that through our EU EOM we can help to enhance confidence at all stages of the election process."

Louis Michel, Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, added:

"The presidential and legislative elections represent a crucial milestone in the democratic and development process embraced by the Malawi people, institutions and political parties. I am convinced that democracy is not only a value in itself, but also an indispensable condition for achieving development to which the people aspire. This is today even more essential than ever that these elections take place respectful of the national laws as well as international and regional standards because it is expected that they will be strongly contested. I am confident that by holding free, fair and transparent elections and respecting their outcome Malawi will once more set an example of freedom and progress within democracy."

The EOM Core Team consists of the Chief Observer and six experts and arrived in Malawi on 3 April. Twenty eight Long Term Observers (LTOs) were deployed on 14 April to assess the campaign period and pre-election preparations around the country. Twenty Short Term Observers (STOs), will be deployed over the election period to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results. They will be joined by locally recruited STOs from diplomatic missions of EU Member States in the country. The EU EOM will stay in the country until 13 June in order to assess the post-election period.

For this mission the European Union has made available some 2.8 million from the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

The European Union enjoys very good bilateral relations with Malawi and is a long-time partner supporting Malawi's Development and Growth Strategy aiming at reducing poverty. Under the 10th EDF (2008-2013), the EU and Malawi have developed a Malawi-EC Strategy in which support of good governance and macro-economic stability are the building block.

For additional information, see also:

http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/human_rights/eu_election_ass_observ/index.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/development/geographical/regionscountries/countries/country_profile.cfm?cid=mw&type=short&lng=en

source : http://7thspace.com/headlines/307179/european_union_deploys_election_observation_mission_to_malawi.html