Brussels, 02/05/2012 (Agence Europe) - The head of the EU observer mission for the 10 May general elections in Algeria, José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP, Spain), says that his team is already up and running, having in fact published its first assessment report. It has made a positive assessment of the first week of the election campaign and Salafranca said that no obstacles had been put in its path. In a press release, the observer mission says that by 7 May, some 60 short-term observers will be in Algeria and deployed in the 48 wilayas (administrative regions). Local short-term observers, along with diplomats from the EU member states, Norway and Canada based in the country and an 11-member delegation from the European Parliament will join the other observers early in May. In total, some 150 observers will be deployed throughout the country on election day. Salafranca explains that the observer mission has been in Algeria for more than three weeks already, the observers are in place and busy examining the campaign and preparations. The idea is to provide a detailed and impartial assessment of the election process according to national, regional and international laws and treaties. Salafranca said the observers were paying particular attention to key elements of the election system, without interfering in the process, and would therefore not be issuing any statements or reports until election day. Salafranca is holding a press conference on 12 May to unveil the observer mission's interim report. (FB/transl.fl)