Michael Koehler to Echorouk: “Algeria has requested deployment of E.U election observers”

A senior official in charge of the European Union’s neighbourhood policy, German Michael Koehler, has told Echorouk that the Algerian authorities have sent of late an official request to the European Union for the sending of observers in charge of monitoring the forthcoming presidential polls set for April 17th 2014.

Mr Koehler said that such a request was still under study at the E.U headquarters in Brussels adding that the recommendations put forth by the E.U mission of observers on the occasion of the latest Algerian legislative election would be at the center of assessment meetings between the two sides by the end of this month and in early March.

He also hailed the democratic practice in Algeria saying it is gradually evolving as evidenced by the regular elections held in the country and the large number of candidates running in this year’s electoral race, stressing that the overall atmosphere surrounding the April 17^th polls should be marked by equal opportunity, fairness and transparency.

“The purpose of EU election observation missions (EOMs) is to assist partner countries in holding elections of a high standard. In this context, the EU EOM conducts a comprehensive analysis of the electoral process and provides an impartial and informed assessment of the elections to strengthen the confidence of voters to participate freely”, Mr Koehler underscored.

He further explained that an observation mission assesses all aspects of the electoral process, its constitutional and legal framework, the delimitation of constituencies, the registration of voters and candidates, the training of election staff, voter education, media coverage, the campaign and the preparations for Election Day, as well as the appeals process.

“Its fundamental principles are full coverage, impartiality, transparency and professionalism. Its ultimate objective is to become superfluous by entrenching democracy deep within each nation through the development of national capacities”, the E.U official added.