Brussels, 02/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 30 April, the European Union officially announced that it was to send an election observation mission to Egypt for the presidential elections of 26 and 27 May, in response to an invitation issued by the Egyptian authorities. High Representative Catherine Ashton has appointed the MEP Mario David (EPP, Portugal) as observer-in-chief of this mission. A team of ten EU election analysts arrived in Cairo on 18 April, to be joined on 25 April by 30 long-term observers. 60 short-term observers will be deployed on 21 May. Local short-term observers (diplomats of the member states of the EU) and a delegation of the European Parliament will also be taking part in the mission.
On 10 April, Ashton finalised the agreement on creating this election observation mission (see EUROPE 11059). Under the agreement, the EU observers will have “unhindered movement” throughout the country and have “access to all legal political interlocutors”. “The EOM is independent and will conduct an impartial assessment of the electoral process on the basis of all relevant election standards”, the European External Action Service stated in a press release.
The elections of 26 and 27 May will pit Defence Minister and former chief of Egypt's armed forces, Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, against his left-wing political opponent, Hamdine Sabahi, whilst acts of violence continue in the country. 53 million Egyptians are eligible to vote. The EU has called on several occasions for “credible and transparent elections, allowing universal participation, according to international standards”. (CG)