EU to observe Tunisian elections following January's revolution

EU to observe Tunisian elections following January's revolution

2011-09-22 12:45:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union (EU) on Wednesday announced that it will be observing Tunisia's upcoming Constituent Assembly elections.

European Parliament Member Michael Gahler will be leading the EU's Election Observation Mission for the Constituent Assembly elections, which are scheduled to take place on October 23 across the African country. The elected Assembly will have the fundamental task of writing the new Constitution of the country.

According to the EU, 130 observers will assess pre-election preparations and campaigning all over Tunisia, voting, counting and tabulation processes, as well as the post-election period. The first experts arrived in the country on September 8, and they will be gradually joined by the 120 other observers. A delegation of 15 Members of the European Parliament will reinforce the mission for the election period.

The EU has been extending its full support to the Tunisian people's aspiration for freedom, democracy and dignity, following January's revolution, and the EU said it will continue to support the Tunisian authorities and society in their path to democracy, in full respect of universal values.

"These elections represent an historical moment in the transition process of Tunisia towards democracy," said Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, following Tunisia's invitation to observe the elections.

"I wish to Michael Gahler and his team all success in their independent assessment of these important elections," Ashton added, as the elections mark the Tunisian citizens' first opportunity to freely choose their representatives.

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