Following an invitation from the Government of Uganda and the Electoral Commission of Uganda, the European Union has established a mission to observe the presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for 18 February, 2011.
Edward Scicluna, a Member of the European Parliament from Malta, is the head of the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM).
The mission is made up of 34 Long Term Observers (LTOs), 68 Short Term Observers (STOs) and a core team of 7 expert advisers who have been based in Kampala since 15 January. The members of the mission are from all 27 member states of the European Union, plus Norway. All observers are deployed in teams of two covering all of Uganda's 112 election districts in order to assess the campaign period and pre-election preparations. They are meeting officials from the Ugandan Government as well as the Electoral Commission. They are also meeting candidates, representatives of political parties, civil society members and the media, representatives from international organisations, as well as other international and domestic observer groups.
The observers will be joined by a delegation of 7 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the days before the elections to observe voting, counting, tabulation and the announcement of results throughout the country.
The observers of the EU EOM are conducting a comprehensive analysis of the presidential and parliamentary electoral process based on long-term observation and a methodology developed by the EU over many years. This analysis covers such aspects as the legal framework, the political context, the electoral administration, the role of civil society and the media, and the treatment of women and minorities.
The Mission observes all phases of the electoral process, from the preparations by the electoral bodies, through to voter registration, campaign activities, voting and counting, the complaints and appeals process and the final announcement of results.
This Mission is independent of any EU institutions or Member States. Its purpose is to offer an impartial assessment of the presidential and parliamentary elections and their compliance with international and regional standards for democratic elections, as well as with Ugandan law.
The EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement shortly after the conclusion of polling, and a Final Report within three months. The members of the Mission remain neutral and abide by the EU election observation code of conduct and Ugandan laws.
The EU EOM is financed by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).
Uganda
country profile and political background
