European Union (EU) has deployed Election Observation Mission (EOM) team in Zimbabwe to observe the harmonized elections, scheduled for 30 July 2018.
This is the first election in Zimbabwe where veteran leader Robert Mugabe will not appear on ballot paper in the last 37 years. Mugabe was ousted following a brief military takeover in November last year, and Emmerson Mnangagwa was appointed as an interim leader.
Mnangagwa, 75, of the ruling Zanu-PF party and Nelson Chamisa, 40, of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party are the presidential front-runners on the 23 candidates vying for the top seat of Zimbabwe.
According to Federica Mogherini the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, the deployment follows an invitation that was made by Zimbabwean authorities.
She appointed Elmar Brok, a Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission to Zimbabwe and remarked that the forth coming elections in Zimbabwe will be a quota pin for the future of Zimbabwe, future president, parliament and local government councils will have the responsibility of steering the transition process in the country, Its stability and economic growth are key for the entire region.
“I am confident that the mission under the leadership of Chief Observer Elmar Brok will make an important contribution to this electoral process,” said Federica Mogherini.
In his remarks Mr. Brok said, “I feel honored to lead the first EU Election Observation Mission to Zimbabwe in 16 years, he 2018 elections are an opportunity to strengthen Zimbabwe’s democracy and it is important they are peaceful, inclusive, transparent and credible.
He said EU EOM is to observe an impartial and professional manner and I am confident that this mission can make an important contribution to enhancing further the quality of the electoral process.