Brussels, 03/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - At the request of the Malagasy authorities, the European Union will observe the presidential elections in Madagascar on 25 October. Maria Muniz de Urquiza MEP (S&D, Spain), the chief observer, was due to launch the EU election observation mission (EU EOM) officially in Antananarivo on 3 October. A group of 44 long term observers, arriving the same day, will be deployed across the country. They thus swell the ranks of the core team of nine observers who have been at work in the capital since 25 September. They will be reinforced by 50 short term observers a few days before election day.
After the elections, the EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement of its initial findings on the process. The EOM's final report, containing a more in-depth analysis and detailed recommendations for the future elections, will be presented to the Malagasy authorities and citizens one to two months after the final results have been announced. The EOM will remain in Madagascar to observe the final counting of votes and procedures for any complaint. It will also observe the legislative elections scheduled for 20 December and a possible second round of the presidential elections. (AN/transl.fl)