About the EU EOM
The European Union has deployed a long-term Election Observation Mission for the Harmonised Elections in the Republic of Zimbabwe, scheduled for 23 August 2023. The EU EOM is led by Chief Observer Fabio Massimo Castaldo, a Member of the European Parliament from Italy.
About the Mission
Following the EU election observation methodology, the mission will observe all aspects of the electoral process before, on and after the election day. The EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Harare after the elections. The final report, which will include a set of recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented and shared with stakeholders after the finalisation of the entire electoral process.
The mission is expected to comprise more than 150 observers from all 27 EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland.
An 11-person core team arrived in Harare on 8 July. 46 long-term EU EOM observers arrive in Zimbabwe on 22 July and are deployed to all ten provinces. They observe the electoral process in their areas and report back to the core team in Harare where the observations are analysed.
44 short-term observers will join the mission shortly before the election day. They observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results.
The mission will be also joined by a delegation of seven Members of the European Parliament, and diplomatic staff from embassies accredited in Harare.
The EU EOM will remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process.