Brussels, 12/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - At the request of the Sudanese authorities, the EU will be deploying an observation mission for the general elections in Sudan to take place between 11 and 18 April. A team of 130 long term observers, headed by Véronique de Keyser (S&D, Belgium), will monitor the whole of the electoral process - the electoral campaign, legislative and presidential ballots, vote counting, the proclamation of results and the post-electoral period. A first team of observers has already been on the spot since end February. Short term observers will provide support shortly before the vote.
In a press release published on Friday 12 March, Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, underlines that “the forthcoming elections are an important milestone in the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement (signed in 2005) and for the political future of Sudan”. She goes on to add: “I strongly hope that the Sudanese people will be able to express themselves freely in these elections”. (A.N./transl.jl)