The AUEOM, led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Niger, Aichatou Mindaoudou Souleymane, is comprised of thirty Short-term observers and has been deployed since 27th August up to 08th September 2018.
“The objectives of the mission are to provide an accurate and impartial reporting or assessment of the quality of the Parliamentary Elections, including the degree to which the conduct of the elections meets regional, continental and international standards”, reads a statement from the African Union Commission.
The mission will also offer recommendations for improvement of future elections based on its observation and findings; and demonstrate African Union’s commitment to support Rwanda’s democratization process to ensure that the election contributes to the consolidation of democratic governance, peace and stability.
The AUEOM draws its mandate from various African Union instruments, including the African Union Guidelines for Electoral Observation and Monitoring Missions; the OUA/AU Declaration on Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa; African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, among others.
NEC invited several election observer groups and expects between 300 to 400 foreign observers and 2000 local observers.
The observers include delegations from regional electoral commissions, regional inter-governmental organizations, civil society and others from Embassies represented in Rwanda.
Parliamentary campaigns officially started on August 13 and will end on September 1.
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