EU chief clarifies on election observer mission

The head of delegation of the European Union clarified that the union will not send observers to Rwanda for the presidential elections slated for next month because of limited financial resources. Michel Arrion was speaking to the media yesterday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation headquarters where the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Prof Chrysologue Karangwa, was briefing diplomats on the progress of preparations for the polls. He pointed out that the move was prompted by many countries holding elections this year. “We fixed the priorities to make sure that there’s a balance in Africa and we decided eight priority countries in Africa, and Rwanda did not come on our priority list” Arrion said. “We communicated to the NEC and the government about our decision. However the EU Commission will send a team of experts to provide assistance to other EU member states’ missions and the Rwanda electoral commission could use them to strengthen their capacities to monitor the electoral process. But this is certainly not, technically speaking, an observation” Over 300 local and foreign observers have confirmed their participation in the forthcoming presidential elections slated August 9. Presidential campaigns are slated to kick-off on July 20. Ends