The Commonwealth has appointed Dr. Kenny Anthony, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, to lead its observer group for Mozambique’s general elections, scheduled for October 9, 2024, with activities commencing from October 1st. The group’s mission emphasizes the Commonwealth’s dedication to promoting election integrity and supporting member nations in their democratic processes.
The Commonwealth has appointed Dr. Kenny Anthony, the former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, to lead its observer group for the upcoming general elections in Mozambique. This group will be present in Mozambique from October 1st to 15th to supervise various stages of the electoral process, including the opening, voting, closing, counting, and results management of the elections scheduled for October 9th. During an announcement in London, Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Right Honorable Patricia Scotland KC, expressed gratitude to the Mozambique National Election Commission for their invitation. She stated, “Mozambique is a valued member of the Commonwealth family, and this election observation exercise is testament to our commitment to supporting them.” The Secretary-General emphasized the Commonwealth’s legacy of over 200 election observations across more than 40 countries, highlighting its dedication to promoting electoral integrity at a time when global democracy faces challenges. Dr. Anthony, in response to the invitation, affirmed his honor in leading the Commonwealth Observer Group and highlighted the diverse expertise of the eleven-member team, which encompasses fields such as elections, law, civil society, human rights, and media. Upon their arrival on October 1st, the observers will engage with crucial stakeholders, including election management bodies, political parties, and civil society organizations. Beginning October 7th, they will disperse into provincial teams to ensure thorough electoral preparations. On election day, the group will closely monitor all electoral stages and will communicate preliminary findings in an interim statement on October 11, 2024. The observers will assess the electoral process’s credibility based on Mozambique’s adherence to democratic standards, with the observation supported by a team from the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The upcoming general elections in Mozambique are significant as they will be closely monitored by an observer group from the Commonwealth, reflecting the organization’s continued engagement in promoting democratic processes around the world. Dr. Kenny Anthony’s appointment to lead this group emphasizes the importance of electoral integrity and the Commonwealth’s commitment to assisting member countries in conducting fair, transparent, and credible elections. This mission comes at a critical time for democracy globally, underscoring the challenges that democratic systems face.
In summary, the Commonwealth’s decision to send an observer group to Mozambique demonstrates its commitment to supporting democratic processes in member states. The leadership of Dr. Kenny Anthony, supported by an experienced team, aims to ensure that the electoral process is conducted with the highest standards in mind, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s role in promoting integrity and transparency in elections.
Original Source: thecommonwealth.org
