The EU EOM’s 30 long-term observers have concluded their second week of observation in their respective regions. Each LTO team, composed by two persons of different nationalities, was deployed on 14 of April and since then is responsible for the observation in each of the 15 major electoral districts of Lebanon.

During their observation in the field, they meet all kind of stakeholders related to elections, in addition to the voters. From one side, the LTOs introduce themselves, explaining the role and the mandate of the mission, including its impartiality and non-interference in the process.

Among other subjects, the LTOs observe electoral campaign events, discuss with candidates and party representatives their campaign strategies and finance, they talk with local authorities about security, electoral operations, and logistics. Moreover, the LTOs meet local religious leaders, NGOs and national observers’ organisations, representative of the media.

The EU EOM conducts a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process based on long-term observation also through the work of the LTOs in the field.

The long-term observers regularly send their reports to the EU EOM’s core team analysts based in Beirut and their observations will be included in the reports the mission will present on 17 May, as well as the final report a few months later.