Brussels, 19/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - In response to an invitation from the Senegalese authorities, the European Union will provide observers for the presidential elections planned for the 26 February in Senegal. The deployment of the Election Observation Mission (EMO) will begin on Friday 20 January. In total, more than 75 observers from the majority of EU member states will be deployed in the country to follow all the different stages of the election process, from the preparation stage to the announcement of the results.
In a statement published on 19 January, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said that Senegal and the European Union were partners of long date and shared a common commitment to democracy and the rule of law. She also said that, “in this election, it is essential to prevent all acts of violence and intimidation, to preserve peace and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. In this context, European Union wants to actively support Senegal to create a peaceful climate for elections accepted by all Senegalese”.
The main election mission team in charge of coordinating the work will arrive in the country on Friday. The chief observer and the long-term observers will soon join them to evaluate the preparation stage and election campaign. Short-term observers will provide assistance in the week before the election is held. A delegation of seven European MEPs will also bolster the ranks of the mission. The EMO will present its preliminary conclusions to Dakar, a few days after the election and will remain in operation in the Senegalese capital to prepare its full report and recommendations. (AN/transl.fl).