Brussels, 18/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - At the request of Mali's authorities, the European Union will observe the parliamentary elections in Mali planned for November and December.
Deployment of the EU's election observation mission (EU EOM), led by Louis Michel MEP (ALDE, Belgium) - as was that of the presidential elections - is now under way. The mission's central team and chief observer were on the scene in Bamako on Thursday 17 October.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton stated that the deployment of this mission was the expression of the EU's support for the accomplishment of political transition, for the full return to constitutional order and for lasting stability in Mali.
On 25 October, 20 long-term observers will be deployed in the country. Short-term observers will join them several days ahead of the voting. The observers will analyse all the stages of the electoral process. After the voting, the EU EOM will make a preliminary statement at a press conference in Bamako. The mission's final report, containing a more in-depth assessment and detailed recommendations for future elections, will be presented to the authorities and citizens of Mali one to two months after the definitive results are announced. (AN/transl.fl)