MANILA, Philippines – The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has deployed 72 long-term observers throughout the country on Wednesday, in preparation for the upcoming 2025 mid-term elections.
This is in response to an invitation from the Philippine Government, to observe the National mid-term elections, the EU EOM stated.
In a news release, the EU EOM said that the EU has deployed a delegation, which has been present in the country since 28th of March.
The EU EOM is led by Chief Observer Marta Termido, a Member of the European Parliament from Portugal.
This is her first visit to the Philippines, the EU OEM mentioned.
During the deployment held in Makati City, Termido said that the goal of the observation mission is “to gain a comprehensive understanding of the electoral process.”
“Our long-term observers will be deployed across all regions of the Philippines, covering both urban and rural areas. They will observe the electoral process before, during, and after the vote on 12 May, and will meet with electoral officials, candidates, civil society representatives, and the media to gain a comprehensive understanding of the electoral process,” Termido stated.
Center: Deputy Chief Observer, Manuel Sánchez de Nogués, with the core team and some of the 72 long term election observers at their send off. (Courtesy of EU EOM)
Prior to their deployment, the EU EOM said that the long-term observers received a comprehensive briefing in Manila on the framework for elections, the political environment, the campaign, and the media and social media ecosystem of the country.
There are also around 100 short-term observers who are expected to join the EU EOM before the day of the election, on May 12, together with a delegation of members of the European Parliament and accredited diplomats, totaling 200 observers from EU Member States, Canada, Norway and Switzerland, the news release read.
In an interview with media on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Observer Manuel Sánchez de Nogués said that the mission will conduct a “comprehensive analysis” of the electoral process, using a well-established methodology developed by the EU over more than two decades, and consistently applied across all countries where they observe.
“The Mission focuses on key aspects of the electoral process, including the legal framework, the work of the election administration, the election campaign, the role of the media and the social media, voting, automated counting, tabulation [the] of results, and the resolution of election-related disputes,” Sánchez de Nogués explained.
“The Mission operates with complete independence and impartiality and does not interfere in the electoral process”, he added.
The mission is committed to remaining neutral and to abide by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers, as well as the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, the EU EOM said.
