AU election observers arrive

A 20-member team from the African Union (AU), led by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius, is in the country to observe the August 9 presidential elections. According to a statement issued yesterday by the Observer Mission, its principal task will be to make an independent observation of the Rwanda electoral process, in conformity with AU guidelines. “In particular, the Mission is expected to determine whether conditions exist for voters to freely express their will, whether the election was conducted in accordance with the constitutional and legal framework, and the rules and procedures governing the conduct of elections,” reads part of the communiqué. It adds that the Mission will also determine whether the result of the Monday poll is “a true reflection of the democratic will of the people of the country and to assess whether or not the election was credible.” Before their field deployment, the team members will consult with various stakeholders, including the National Electoral Commission, other international observer missions, local monitoring groups, civil society organizations and political parties. The AU Mission will also issue a statement prior to its departure. “A detailed report on the election process will be submitted to the AU Commission which it will subsequently share with the Government of Rwanda. The report will, among others, profile the electoral process and make appropriate recommendations where necessary,” it adds. Members of the Mission include 20 members of the Pan-African Parliament, high-level officials of election management bodies and members of civil society from across Africa. Ends