Brussels, 21/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - Although it was announced over the weekend that the EU would not in the end observe the presidential elections in Egypt on 26-27 May, Michael Mann, the spokesperson for High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, in Brussels, and head of the electoral mission Mario David MEP (Portugal) announced on Monday 19 May that this mission would in fact be maintained, but would be adapted. “The EU has been committed to the elections observation in Egypt all along. However, because of the delay incurred, we needed to adjust our mission in order to operate in line with our widely respected patterns of election observation”, said Mann. “The EU electoral observation mission is able to continue (…). However, because of the delays, we need to adjust our mission”, said David at a press conference.
“Our intention remains to have this elections mission deployed as widely as possible outside Cairo, and with a fair number of observers on the field - in the run-up to the elections, on the E-day, and during the aggregation of results”, Mann stated. Around 40 observers, who are already in Egypt, had not until now been able to leave the capital or follow the election preparations in the rest of the country.
The change of mission is due to administrative issues. “Administrative challenges delayed the early implementation of the mission but the clearance of the necessary equipment for the mission has finally been given, thanks to the constructive engagement of the Egyptian minister for foreign affairs”, said Mann. As for all other electoral observation missions, the EU responded to an invitation from the authorities.
The electoral team is assessing the overall legal framework on the ground and will continue to observe the campaign period in all the Cairo region, the performance of the election administration, and the overall political environment - including the respect for fundamental freedoms, and civil and political rights - so as to ensure free and fair elections, the European External Action Service (EEAS) stated. The mission will also follow closely the performance of the media, voting, counting and tabulation of results, as well as the handling of possible complaints and appeals, the EEAS added. Nevertheless, “the EU electoral observation mission does not legitimise an electoral process nor does it validate any election results”, David recalled.
Around 53 million voters are eligible to vote in order to choose their president from between the minister for defence and former field marshal, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the left-wing opposition politician, Hamdeen Sabahi. (CG)