Friday, March 29, 2024

Chief Observer Maria Arena launches the EU Election Observation Mission to Zambia 2021

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“The deployment of an election observation mission to Zambia for the fifth time, reflects the EU’s long-standing commitment to supporting the country’s democratization and reconciliation process,” said Maria Arena, Chief Observer and Member of the European Parliament from Belgium during a press conference yesterday, launching the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM).

The EU deployed the mission upon an invitation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zambia to observe the 12 August general elections.

Eleven election analysts based in Lusaka and 32 long-term observers deployed across the country will be joined by locally recruited short-term observers closer to election day. On 12 August the EU EOM will comprise around 70 observers from EU member states and Norway.

“The 2021 general elections are taking place in a challenging environment both from a political and health perspective. The right to life and the right to vote are tightly knit together during this pandemic”, said Chief Observer, Maria Arena.

The EU EOM will assess compliance of the general elections with national legislation as well as with regional commitments and international standards.

The mission will issue a Preliminary Statement of its initial findings shortly after election day. A more comprehensive Final Report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented at a later stage, after the conclusion of the entire electoral process.

During her first visit to Zambia, Chief Observer, Maria Arena, met with the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, political parties, civil society and media organizations.

“The European Union Election Observation Mission stands ready to offer an impartial and independent assessment of the electoral process for consideration by the Zambian authorities, political parties and civil society. A level playing field, and trust in the process are requisite for holding peaceful elections”, the Chief Observer stated during a press conference in Lusaka.

12 COMMENTS

  1. Edgar China Lungu will certainly find a way to rubbish the true findings of the EU commission. But these are people who genuinely believe in true democracy, while PF only believes in winniy, no matter what. Lying, bribing, denying, accusing – it doesn’t matter! But the EU and the wider international community will take note!

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  2. Nevermind these people they are useless…just give them tickets to visit Kafue National Park so they enjoy safari…I bet you they have already typed their report that elections were free and fair like they did in Kenya.

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  3. It also shows that pf has nothing to hide and is confident of a clear win. Look at the angry upnd cadres above haha

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  4. Does the African Union ever been to monitor elections in any European country ?.
    As colonial masters they did not allow blacks to vote in their own African countries.
    Did the EU monitor elections s in America.
    As long as Africa continue to tolerate external interferance then We shall never be masters of own destiny .
    An african problem requires an African solution .

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  5. Why DON’T they go to monitor elections in USA where Trump, the former president said the election was stolen? They are just here to make money. In this era of Covid-19, why would they be moving around our country? Let them monitor the elections virtually if they really care for the health of the people and themselves?
    Otherwise let Arena monitor elections in her home village in Belgium!!!!!

  6. Why not monitor elections in USA? Russia? Why don’t you monitor elections in Mons, Belgium, your home village. Why come here in the middle of the pandemic? Monitor virtually if u can. We don’t need interference

  7. Ric the EU commission most certainly were in the USA to check on Trump and so on. Why are you guys so scared of them verifying ECZ? I for one am HAPPY that EU (together with the AU and SADC) is looking over the shoulders. Whatever the outcome, if UPND loses they will cry foul, and when PF loses they will cry foul – and NOBODY trusts ECZ. The EU is only interested in PROPER election result, whoever wins. And if you want to go and verify European elections, they will welcome you with open arms!

  8. And let me tell you this: I am very much opposed to Edgar China Lungu and his horrible PF winning the elections. But if the PF wins fair and square then I will be the first one to congratulate them. And if KZ wouldn’t be in UK then I would personally tell him so. No, I wouldn’t kiss him because I don’t want to go to jail for homophobic utterings!

  9. No corruption be careful with those gay feelings you are showing. Here in Zambia we are a Christian nation. We don’t want dirty business

  10. Patriotic Zambian Citizen @5,u need help but u don’t know it. Who moves in to pick up the pieces whn a weak African country descends into chaos? If u know the answer, please shut up and put up now.

  11. Some people just comment using raw emotions without reading or understanding why and how the EUEOM is deploying an election observation mission in Zambia. The Chief Observer Maria clearly states “The EU deployed the mission upon an invitation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Zambia (MOFA) to observe the 12th August general elections”. Stop insulting or casting the EUEOM. Direct your complaints or concerns to the MOFA. If you want to observe elections in Europe or America, look for procedures required to do so!!!

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