By: Aref Abu Hatem (almotamar.net)- - SANA'A- European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) described the participation of the opposition in running the elections as a "positive step towards democracy that ensures the fairness of the elections."
In a symposium on the presidential elections held Tuesday at Sana'a University, Baroness Emma Nicholson, Chief Observer of the European mission, said the existence of the EUEOM in Yemen came as an invitation from the Yemeni government to monitor the elections and assess their results. "We are not concerned with who the winner would be. What matters for us is the way the election process was conducted," she stated.
"The aim of the EU EOM is to enhance public confidence in the electoral process, deter fraud and violations, enhance respect for human rights, contribute to resolution of conflict, know the degree of impartiality shown by the Election Administration, fairness of access to state resources made available for the election, and the degree of access for political parties and candidates to the state-run media," she added.
For his part, Richard Chambers, Deputy Chief Observer, affirmed the election process met the international standards, although there were shortcomings with regard to the electoral roll.
Chambers noted the European Mission monitored the election process in 1,000 electoral centers. The election process was conducted well, with legal vote-counting, he added. "The presidential election results were announced on their legal time, but those of the local council elections have not been announced," he pointed out.
Moreover, Chambers stressed on the importance of holding elections in the suspended centers and constituencies within 60 days according to the law, and that the Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum has to present clear reasons for suspending these centers, with taking punitive measures against those responsible for the deferral.