HARARE, July 27 (Xinhua) -- The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) on Friday deployed 44 short-term observers throughout Zimbabwe for Monday's polls, its third contingent following the core team and the 44 long-term observers who arrived in Zimbabwe early June.
"The short-term observers will cover all ten provinces in both, urban and rural areas. Together with the other EU EOM observers they will be the eyes and the ears of the mission on election day, during polling, counting and tabulation of results", said Chief Observer Elmar Brok.
Prior to deployment the short-term observers received a two-day in depth briefing on the electoral background, voting procedures, the political environment and other topics.
The observers will also be joined by the Delegation of the European Parliament and EU diplomats accredited in Zimbabwe on polling day.
In total, the EU EOM will comprise on election day 140 observers from all 28 member states as well as Norway, Switzerland and Canada.
"Although the EU EOM observers will be visiting many polling stations from the opening to the closing of the polls, they will not interfere in the process. They are there to watch and take note of how the voting is conducted," said Brok.
The EU EOM will issue a preliminary statement two days after the elections with the final report - with technical recommendations for future elections - to be published later.
