I n response to an invitation by the Union Election Commission (UEC), the European Union has deployed an Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Myanmar to observe the general elections scheduled for 8 November 2015. This is the first time that the European Union is observing elections in Myanmar. The Mission will evaluate the elections against national law and international principles for elections contained in regional and international law and standards. The Mission underscores the EU’s support for Myanmar’s democratic transition and its commitment to supporting credible, transparent and inclusive elections in the country.
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) is led by Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, Vice President of the European Parliament from Germany.
A comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the UEC, agreeing on the presence of EU observers during all stages of the electoral process, including advance voting, in all states and regions of the country. The EOM Core Team of 9 EU EU to Observe General Elections election analysts arrived in Myanmar on 26th September and will stay in the country until the completion of the election process. They will be joined by additional 30 longterm observers on October 7, 62 short-term observers on November 2 and a delegation with seven members from the European Parliament, and diplomats of Member States of the EU will reinforce the Mission for the election day. The EU EOM comprises all 28 EU Member States as well as Norway and Switzerland.
The EU EOM will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the entire electoral process. This will include assessing the legal framework, the performance of the election administration, voter registration, candidates’ nomination, campaign activities, respect for fundamental freedoms, access to and conduct of the media, voting and the counting, the announcement and acceptance of results after the polls.
The EU EOM is bound by a code of conduct, which requires strict neutrality and no interference in the process. The mission undertakes all its work in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation. The EU EOM will publish its initial findings in a Preliminary Statement, which will be presented in press conferences two days after the election day. A final report will be published later, which will include recommendations for improvements for future elections.
The European Union has deployed during the last 15 years over 150 election observation missions around the world to provide support for the development of countries’ democratic institutions and to assist partner countries in their commitment to holding elections in line with their international, regional and constitutional obligations and commitments.
