Brussels, 09/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - In response to an invitation from the Guinean authorities, the European Union will observe the general elections of the Republic of Guinea on 24 September, and is preparing for the deployment of its observers. Led by the MEP Cristian Preda (EPP, Romania), the Election Observation Mission of the EU (EU EOM) will consist of more than 70 observers from the various member states of the EU plus Norway. The core team, to be made up of eight experts, has been on the ground in Conakry since 22 August. It has since been joined by 24 long-term observers deployed to cover the eight administrative regions of Guinea and their prefectures. 30 short-term observers will arrive a few days before the elections to help out.
The observers will monitor all stages of the election process - establishing electoral lists, validating the candidates, the election campaign, polling day, counting, aggregation and publication of the preliminary results, any disputes and announcing the final results. After the elections, the EU EOM will present a preliminary statement on the process at a press conference in Conakry. The final report of the mission, which will contain a more in-depth assessment and detailed recommendations for future elections, will be presented to the authorities and citizens of Guinea one or two months after the official results have been announced. (AN/transl.fl)