EU deploys Election Observation Mission in general polls of Honduras

F.P. Report

BRUSSELS: In response to an invitation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Honduras, the European Union (EU) has decided to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the general elections scheduled for 28 November 2021.

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP), has appointed Ms. Željana Zovko, Member of the European Parliament, as Chief Observer for this mission. The EU previously also deployed Election Observation Missions to Honduras for the 2013 and 2017 general elections. 

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell said: “The European Union appreciates the invitation by the Honduran authorities to deploy an EU Election Observation Mission for the forthcoming elections. This will be the third electoral mission that the EU deploys in Honduras in the past ten years, which highlights the EU’s commitment to supporting the country’s democratic process and system in line with recommendations made by previous EOMs in 2013 and 2017. It is crucial that the elections are held in the most transparent, inclusive and credible way in order to ensure a peaceful process before, during and after Election Day on 28 November.”

Chief Observer Ms. Željana Zovko said: “I am very pleased to have been entrusted with the responsibility of leading this EU EOM, which will undertake an independent and thorough assessment of the electoral process. I look forward to meeting and engaging with the Honduran authorities, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders”.

The Core Team of the EU EOM consists of 9 election experts. They will be in Tegucigalpa in mid-October. By end-October, 30 Long-Term Observers will join the mission and will be deployed across the country. Around 20 locally-recruited Short-Term Observers will reinforce the mission on Election Day. The EU EOM will remain in the country until the completion of the electoral process.  

Following the EU election observation methodology, the mission will issue a preliminary statement and hold a press conference in Tegucigalpa 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.