Press release

Maputo, 10 September 2024 - Laura Ballarín Cereza, Chief of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), today ends her first two-day visit to Mozambique, during which she met with the authorities and other players involved in the electoral process.

“The European Union is sending this Mission to Mozambique in response to the invitation from the National Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation to observe the general and provincial assembly elections on 9 October 2024”, she explained during the press conference to present the Mission, held in Maputo.

This is not the first time that the European Union has monitored the electoral process in Mozambique. “EU observers have been present at every election since 1994, which is a good reflection of the European Union's strong commitment to supporting the strengthening of democratic institutions in the country and contributing to more inclusive, transparent and credible elections,” said the Chief of the EU EOM.

The mandate of the Electoral Observation Mission is to make an objective, rigorous and exhaustive assessment of all aspects of the electoral process, in harmony with national legislation and in accordance with the international and regional principles and standards ratified by Mozambique on democratic elections.

The MEP emphasised that: “the Electoral Observation Mission is independent of all European Union institutions, but also of the Mozambican authorities and politicians. Furthermore, the observers do not interfere in the electoral process in any way and cannot alter or correct deficiencies or offer assistance: the Mission does not legitimise the electoral process, nor does it validate the results of the elections.”

A core team of ten analysts arrived in Maputo on 1 September to analyse all phases of the electoral process, supported by logistics and security experts.

Next Friday, a group of 32 Long Term Observers will be deployed to all the country's provinces. Shortly before election day, 74 Short-Term Observers, diplomats from EU member states accredited to Mozambique, and a delegation of Members of the European Parliament will join the mission. All EU observers are bound by a Code of Conduct that ensures their neutrality and impartiality.

“The mission will include more than 150 observers from 24 EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Canada and Norway, and will remain in the country until the election results are declared, including in the event of a second round of voting,” said Laura Ballarín.

Two days after the elections, the Mission will make an initial statement with its preliminary conclusions on the electoral process, which will be released at a press conference in Maputo. Until the presentation of this preliminary statement, the Mission will not make any public assessment of the electoral process.

 A comprehensive final report, with recommendations offered to the authorities and the public for future elections, will be issued within two months of the conclusion of the electoral process.