Dr. Kenny Anthony, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, has been appointed to lead the Commonwealth observer group for Mozambique’s upcoming general elections on October 9, 2024. The group will observe electoral processes from October 1 to October 15, focusing on the integrity and transparency of the elections. The mission underlines the Commonwealth’s dedication to supporting democratic practices in member nations.
The Commonwealth has appointed Dr. Kenny Anthony, the former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, to lead its observer group for Mozambique’s upcoming general elections. The group will be present in Mozambique from October 1 to October 15, 2024, to oversee various stages of the election process, including opening, voting, closing, counting, and the management of results for the polls scheduled on October 9. Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, expressed gratitude for the invitation extended by the Mozambique National Election Commission. In her announcement, she reiterated the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting Mozambique, a valued member of its family. She acknowledged the Commonwealth’s historical role in promoting electoral integrity, having observed over 200 elections in more than 40 countries. The mission in Mozambique is particularly significant in a year where democracy is under considerable scrutiny globally. Dr. Anthony, in accepting the role, stated that it is an honor to lead the observer group, alongside eleven diverse experts in areas such as elections, law, civil society, politics, and human rights. The observers will engage with key stakeholders, including election management bodies, political parties, civil society organizations, the media, and the diplomatic community upon their arrival on October 1. As part of the group’s mandate, they will assess the credibility of the electoral process relative to Mozambique’s commitments to standards for democratic elections. On election day, the group will monitor the entire election process and subsequently release an interim statement conveying preliminary findings on October 11, 2024. The observers’ efforts will be supported by a team from the Commonwealth Secretariat under the leadership of Linford Andrews, Adviser and Head of the Electoral Support Section. Members of the observer group hail from various Commonwealth nations, reflecting a range of experiences and expertise.
The Commonwealth observer groups serve to monitor elections in member countries to ensure they are conducted fairly and transparently. Established as pioneers of international electoral observation, the Commonwealth has deployed its monitoring teams to support democratic practices across the globe. The significance of their work has increased in recent years as global democratic integrity faces numerous challenges. Mozambique’s upcoming elections present an opportunity for the Commonwealth observers to participate in fostering democratic principles, scrutinizing the electoral processes, and ensuring that they meet established standards outlined in the Commonwealth Charter and related international commitments.
The establishment of the Commonwealth observer group for Mozambique’s forthcoming general elections reflects a sustained commitment to upholding the principles of democracy and electoral integrity. Led by Dr. Kenny Anthony, the group will observe the democratic processes from voter registration to result management, providing oversight that is crucial for fostering trust in the electoral system. With a diverse expertise among its members, the group aims to assess the elections’ credibility and support Mozambique in achieving a transparent and inclusive democratic process.
Original Source: thecommonwealth.org
