Statement by the spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the EU Election Observation Mission to observe the general elections in Kenya

24-1-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

“Upon the invitation from the Kenyan government, the High Representative of the European Union decided to deploy a European Election Observation Mission to observe general elections scheduled to take place on 4 March 2013.

The mission is headed by MEP Alojz Peterle, who led the EU EOM to Nigeria in 2011. The 11 experts of the Core Team of this mission have already arrived in Nairobi. They will be joined by 16 Long Term Observers at the end of January and then 18 additional Short Term Observers. A Delegation of the European Parliament will also join this mission close to election day.

The EU EOM will make a thorough and comprehensive assessment of the election process and will benefit from the analysis already provided by the experts deployed to assess the voter registration and preparations for elections since November 2012.

Genuine, transparent and peaceful elections are essential for democracy, security and prosperity in Kenya. When travelling to Kenya in August last year, the High Representative expressed her determination to support Kenyan efforts to foster a credible electoral process. The EU EOM and other support provided to the electoral process, and above all, our bilateral partnership, show the
great importance the EU attaches to these elections.”

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 – +32 2 584 97 80 – Michael.Mann@eeas.europa.eu
Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 – +32 2 298 65 70 – Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu
Sébastien Brabant +32 460 75 09 98 – Sebastien.Brabant@ec.europa.eu
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