EAC to send observer mission for Parliamentary elections
The East African Community has announced it will deploy an Election Observer Mission (EOM) for the Parliamentary Elections in Rwanda scheduled to take place on September 16, 2013.
The mission is part of the process to deepen democracy in the region and follows an invitation by the Government of Rwanda.
According to the EAC Secretariat, the mission is scheduled to be will be on the ground from September 10–19, 2013 and will be led by the former Minister of EAC of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Musa Sirma.
The Mission’s mandate is to observe the preparations for the election, the polling, and the overall electoral environment.
The mission will also assess the conduct of the process as a whole and, where appropriate, make recommendations for the future strengthening of the electoral framework in the Republic of Rwanda.
“EOM is expected to look out for best electoral practices that could be emulated in the region and generally to widen and deepen cooperation between Partner States in socio-economic and political Affairs,†says a statement from the Secretariat.
The Mission will ascertain whether the elections were free and fair and conform to principles of good governance and democracy in the region.
The legislative Electoral Calendar shows that it will span over 3 days with 16th September 2013 being the polling day for direct election of members of the National Assembly.
On September 17, 2013 will be for indirect elections of 24 female Members of Parliament; and finally the September 18th 2013 date will be for indirect election for representatives of youth and people with disabilities.
The EAC Observer Mission consists of 36 members, who include Members of EALA, officials from National Electoral Commissions and Human Rights Commissions from Partner States and the East African Community Secretariat.
A Mission report with recommendations on how best to improve election management in Rwanda in particular and in the EA region in general will be produced and submitted to the National Electoral Commission – Rwanda and the EAC Council of Ministers for consideration to inform future engagement and interaction during electoral processes in other Partner States.
