Francine Baron, former Foreign Minister of Dominica, is part of the Commonwealth Observer Group for Mozambique’s general elections on October 9. The group, led by Dr. Kenny Anthony, will monitor various aspects of the electoral process from October 1-15. The Commonwealth’s involvement aims to promote electoral integrity, reflecting a commitment to supporting member states in their democratic practices.
Former Foreign Minister of Dominica, Francine Baron, has been appointed to a Commonwealth Observer Group overseeing the imminent general election in Mozambique. This esteemed group, led by Dr. Kenny Anthony, the former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, will be present in Mozambique from October 1 to 15 to monitor various electoral processes, including the opening, voting, closing, counting, and result management for the elections scheduled on October 9, which encompass presidential, national, and provincial elections. The announcement was made in London by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, who acknowledged the invitation extended by the Mozambique National Election Commission to observe the elections. She noted, “Mozambique is a valued member of the Commonwealth family, and this election observation exercise is testament to our commitment to supporting them.” She further emphasized the Commonwealth’s long-standing tradition of promoting electoral integrity and good governance, having observed more than 200 elections across over 40 countries since such efforts began. Dr. Anthony expressed his gratitude for leading this important mission and highlighted the diverse expertise of the eleven members selected from various Commonwealth nations, who possess extensive experience in elections, law, civil rights, politics, and media. As part of their engagement, the observers will meet crucial stakeholders upon arrival, including the election management body, political entities, civil society organizations, and international observer groups. Starting on October 7, observers will be deployed in small teams to various provinces to oversee electoral preparations and establish contact with local stakeholders. On election day, the Commonwealth Observer Group will monitor all aspects of the electoral process and issue an interim statement regarding their preliminary findings on October 11, 2024. They have been granted the authority to evaluate the credibility of the elections against the commitments that Mozambique has made concerning democratic standards, regional obligations, as well as Commonwealth and international conventions. The Commonwealth has historically observed general elections in Dominica, with the Observer Mission following the last general election in December 2022 concluding that it reflected the will of the Dominican populace. Members of the Commonwealth Observer Group include: – Francine Baron, Former Foreign Minister, Dominica – Pauline Welsh, former Director of Legal Affairs, Electoral Office of Jamaica, Jamaica – Charles Keter, former Senator and Minister, Kenya – Dr. Karabo Mokobocho-Mohlakoana, Commissioner, Independent Electoral Commission, Lesotho – Professor Danwood Chirwa, Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Cape Town, Malawi – Beverly Joeman, human rights activist, and former Vice Chair of the Election Committee of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH), Malaysia – Zainab Bala, policy communication specialist and journalist, Nigeria – ‘Ofa Guttenbeil-Likiliki, gender expert, founder of Women’s Action Group for Change and filmmaker, Tonga – Alan Kasujja, host, Africa Daily Podcast, BBC News Uganda – Dr. Alex Vines, Director, Africa Program, Chatham House, United Kingdom – Muleta Kapatiso, activist, lawyer, and development practitioner, Zambia The attention of the Commonwealth to these elections demonstrates its commitment to fostering democratic processes within member states.
The Commonwealth has established a legacy of supporting democratic processes through electoral observation missions, which aim to enhance the integrity of elections and support the rights of citizens to express their political will. Mozambique, as a member of the Commonwealth since 1995, has called upon this experience during their electoral process. The role of observers is pivotal, not just in monitoring the election, but in ensuring that all procedures adhere to international democratic standards and principles, particularly in light of the global emphasis on democracy and governance in recent years.
In summary, Francine Baron will be a key member of the Commonwealth Observer Group for the upcoming elections in Mozambique, under the leadership of Dr. Kenny Anthony. The group’s mission underscores the Commonwealth’s dedication to supporting electoral integrity and democratic practices, as they prepare to monitor critical events surrounding the elections scheduled for October 9. The mission is further significant as it aligns with the global efforts to uphold democracy and ensure that the electoral process in Mozambique is fair, credible, and transparent.
Original Source: dominicanewsonline.com
