Following the invitation made by the Haitian authorities, the European Union will deploy an Electoral Observation Mission (EOM-EU) for the presidential, legislative, local and municipal in Haiti. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Valenciano Member of European Parliament as Chief Observer of the mission.

This mission will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process on the basis of Haitian law and international and regional standards related. This analysis will cover the legal framework, the performance of the electoral administration, campaign activities of candidates and political parties, respect for fundamental freedoms, the action of the media, the voting and counting and consolidation of results, treatment of possible complaints and announcement of results.

Recall that the EOM is independent of any institution of the EU or its Member States. The EOM, which adheres to the Declaration of Principles for International Electoral Observation, is subject to a code of conduct which does not allow any interference in the process, imposes its neutrality, and respect the laws of Haiti. The EOM will present its preliminary conclusions about two days after the election. A final report will be published at a later date and will include recommendations submitted to authorities for possible improvements in future elections.

The Observation Mission is composed of a core team of seven electoral experts, of long-term observer teams to be deployed one month before the elections in 10 departments and 11 teams of observers of short duration, which will be deployed during the vote. Observers from the European diplomatic corps accredited in Haiti will also participate in electoral observation.

In order to guarantee the freedom of movement of observers and access to polling stations, to the organizations involved in the electoral process and all relevant information, a Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and the Provisional Electoral Council was signed Tuesday, July 14 by the President of the CEP, Pierre Louis Opont, and the Chargé d'Affaires of the European Union, Manuela Riccio, in the presence of the first observers of the EOM arrived in Port-au-Prince on July 12. This Wednesday, July 15, a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed with Prime Minister Evans Paul.

HL/ HaitiLibre