Francine Baron, former Foreign Minister of Dominica, has been appointed to the Commonwealth Observer Group for the Mozambique elections on October 9. Led by Dr. Kenny Anthony, the group will monitor the electoral processes from October 1-15, ensuring adherence to democratic standards and supporting Mozambique’s electoral integrity.
Former Foreign Minister of Dominica, Francine Baron, has been appointed to participate in the Commonwealth Observer Group observing the forthcoming general elections in Mozambique. The election is scheduled for October 9, encompassing presidential, national, and provincial electoral processes. Dr. Kenny Anthony, the former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, will lead the group, which will be stationed in Mozambique from October 1 to October 15 to oversee the full electoral process including the opening, voting, closing, counting, and management of results. The initiative was publicly announced by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland in London, who recognized the invitation extended by the Mozambique National Election Commission to conduct the observations. Scotland emphasized the Commonwealth’s commitment to Mozambique, stating, “Mozambique is a valued member of the Commonwealth family, and this election observation exercise is testament to our commitment to supporting them.” She highlighted the Commonwealth’s significant role in promoting electoral integrity globally, having observed over 200 elections in more than 40 countries historically. She further noted the importance of the upcoming mission, especially in light of recent challenges to democracy worldwide, expressing confidence in the observers to maintain high standards during their assessment. Dr. Anthony expressed his gratitude and honor in leading this mission and noted the diverse expertise of the eleven Commonwealth observers, who have backgrounds in various fields such as elections, human rights, civil society, and media. Upon their arrival on October 1, the observers will engage with essential stakeholders including political entities, civil society organizations, and other local and international observers. Following this, they will deploy in teams across provinces to monitor election preparations and engage with local stakeholders. On election day, the group will systematically oversee the electoral processes and will provide an initial statement on their findings on October 11. The mandate of the observers includes evaluating the overall credibility of the electoral process and ensuring adherence to established democratic standards set forth by Mozambique’s commitments, relevant laws, and international standards. The Commonwealth, known for its history of observing elections, has consistently done so in Dominica, and after the last general election in December 2022, it concluded that the electoral process reflected the collective will of the voters.
The Commonwealth Observer Group’s role is integral in monitoring elections to ensure transparency and integrity. The upcoming elections in Mozambique are particularly crucial as electoral processes affect the democratic governance of the nation. This observation mission underlines the Commonwealth’s commitment to upholding democratic values and providing support to member states during significant electoral moments, fostering confidence in the electoral process.
In summary, Francine Baron joins a prestigious Commonwealth Observer Group tasked with overseeing Mozambique’s general elections scheduled for October 9. This mission is led by Dr. Kenny Anthony and includes a diverse team of electoral experts, reflecting the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting democratic processes globally. The observers aim to enhance electoral integrity by carefully assessing the credibility of the election, ensuring that the citizens of Mozambique have the opportunity to express their democratic rights in a transparent manner.
Original Source: dominicanewsonline.com
