EASF observer mission calls for peaceful elections |20 October 2020
Observers of the Eastern Africa Standby Force election observer mission are expected to be released from quarantine on October 22 in time to observe the first day of the special voting in designated polling stations.
The team arrived in the country on October 9.
The Eastern Africa Standby Force election observer mission (EASF-EOM) will be guided by the African Union (AU) Charter on Elections, Democracy and Governance and by the code of conduct for election observers released by the Seychelles Electoral Commission in September this year.
This international election observer mission consists of observers from Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. The observers are from the civil society sector, media, peace and security. The mission is fully funded by the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF).
The EASF election observers will be observing polling on October 22, 23 and 24. On October 24, the observers will be deployed in four teams to observe the process in all the polling stations on the main island of Mahé.
During the quarantine period, the EASF-EOM has held virtual meetings with local stakeholders like the Seychelles Media Commission, local observer groups, candidates and will continue to engage with other stakeholders in the coming days. The EASF-EOM commends the Election Commission for the work it is doing in ensuring an effective and smooth election process.
The mission has also observed high level of political maturity and mutual respect by all the candidates during the first ‘live’ presidential debate. This shows the evolving and flourishing democracy in the country. The EASF urges the candidates to maintain such respect and tolerance throughout the election process.
The EASF calls on voters to actively engage and carry out their civic obligation and constitutional duty by voting in the general elections.
The EASF is appealing to the citizens to maintain the peaceful environment, adherence to the rule of law and to promote respect and tolerance throughout the elections.
The EASF will issue a preliminary statement based on the objective assessment of the process on Sunday October 25, 2020.
Press relase from the EASF