• EOM members will enjoy the freedom of movement throughout the country

Kathmandu, October 26

The European Union has deployed Election Observation Mission to Nepal to observe the parliamentary and provincial elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7 after the government approved the EU’s proposal for the same.

The EU had on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the government which will be valid till 90 days from the completion of the election, according to a copy of the MoU obtained by THT.

As per the MoU, the government will provide the mission all possible assistance required for the implementation of its mandate in accordance with the laws in force in Nepal, while the mission and its members will maintain strict impartiality, objectivity and credibility in the conduct of their mandate, and abide by the code of conduct of the Election Commission and laws in force in Nepal.

The MoU states that some of the members of the mission will be deployed on the ground well before the election day and remain in the country until the election process is completed, including the announcement of results and processing of complaints.

The EOM members will enjoy the freedom of movement throughout the country without the need for prior permission or notification, and have access to all political parties, candidates, election officials and representatives from the civil society and voters.

The government will also issue the EOM a temporary licence to facilitate the import of any material/equipment necessary for election observation, as per the MoU. The EU has appointed Željana Zovko, member of the European Parliament, as the chief observer.

The Election Observation Mission Core Team of 10 EU election analysts arrived in Nepal on Wednesday and will stay in the country until the completion of the electoral process and prepare a comprehensive final report. As of November 3, the Core Team will be joined by 38 long-term observers who will be deployed across the country.

On 20 November, 20 short-term observers will be deployed for the first stage of elections scheduled for 26 November, while an additional 24 short-term observers will be deployed on December 1 for the second stage of the elections on December 7.

Shortly after the completion of the elections, the mission will issue a preliminary statement of its findings at a press conference in Kathmandu. A final report, including recommendations for future electoral processes, will be presented at a later stage, after the finalisation of the whole electoral process, read the statement.