06/11/23 (Agence Europe) – The EU is to deploy an Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) for the general elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, scheduled for 20 December. Swedish MEP Malin Björk (The Left) will lead the mission. “It is up to all parties to work together to make the elections fully inclusive, free, transparent and peaceful. The fundamental freedoms of expression, the media, assembly, association and movement must not be hindered in any way”, said EU High Representative Josep Borrell on Monday 6 November. Thirteen electoral experts will arrive in the DRC this month. At the end of November, 42 long-term observers will be deployed to monitor the election campaign. They will be joined by 12 short-term observers in the run-up to the vote. Other observers, accredited in the DRC and recruited locally, will be able to join the mission on polling day. The EU EOM will remain in the country until the electoral process is concluded. (AN)