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EU to monitor post election scenario

The European Union (EU) Chief Observer John Cushnahan says the Union's mission is not over with the conclusion of Friday's polls adding the EU would now engage in post election monitoring.

Cushnahan told The Sunday Leader that the EU observers will return from the various locations throughout the country after the counting process has been completed and would commence debriefing.

"It would seem that polling day has taken place in an atmosphere where there has been a lower level of violence than in the last election. The fact that there was no curfew is a confirmation of this," he said.

He said there has been less violence during the overall 2004 election campaign. However, he added with over 1,500 incidents of violence reported up to Friday there is no room for complacency.

"This should not happen in a democratic election in a democratic country," he pointed out.

He said his monitoring team is continuing to carry out its analysis adding in particular they were examining a number of key aspects, which have caused them concern such as whether or not there was equal access to the media for all parties. "Additionally we are worried at reports that not all the parties were able to campaign freely in the north and the east," he said.

He further said that based on their experiences and the analysis of the team of experts the EU is expected to publish a preliminary report at a press conference this afternoon (4).

"We believe that it is of fundamental importance that we should not give a final verdict on this election until our work on all parts of the election process have been completed," he added.

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