The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has deployed 32 observers in teams of two to all the country's provinces where, among other things, they will meet with all the parties involved in the electoral process, such as local authorities, electoral institutions, candidates, the media and representatives of civil society.

According to the deputy head of mission, Margarida Alves, who was speaking to the press today, "the observers will report back to the central team based in Maputo, and the factual information gathered will be the basis for a preliminary statement, which will be presented at a press conference to be held in Maputo within two days of election day".

In a Sunday newspaperMargarida Alves also said that the European Mission has a consistent observation methodology that has been tested over the last 20 years. "We are impartial and try to make a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process," she said.

Asked about a supposed criticism of the EU's dual criteria for analyzing electoral processes in different countries, taking Venezuela and the 2023 local elections in Mozambique as examples, the deputy head of that mission assured that the EU's methodology does not allow for comparing elections between countries.

"In last year's local elections in Mozambique, the European Union did not deploy an electoral observation mission. However, one of our 2019 recommendations, in which we had a full mission, refers to the publication of the original polling station notices, which are accessible to everyone. I reiterate that this is an excellent recommendation because it seeks to contribute to greater transparency and credibility in the electoral process," he emphasized.

(Photo DR)