17/02/2016 (Agence Europe) - EU to observe elections on 18 February. At the request of the Ugandan authorities, the EU has sent a team of election observers to Uganda for the February18 presidential and parliamentary elections. A delegation of seven MEPs will offer its substantial support to the 30 long-term observers already deployed in the country, explained Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany), who is heading the Parliamentary delegation. Ahead of the elections, Leinen said “It is very important to Europe that free and fair elections can take place. For 30 years, President Yoweri Museveni has been governing the country. On 18 February, the Ugandan people will decide whether Museveni can win a fifth mandate or whether his challengers will obtain a majority of the votes”. The European observers will remain in place beyond the announcement of the results and are expected to provide an introductory statement on 20 February during the press conference in Kampala. (AN)

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