On Saturday, October 15, a spread sheet with purported tallied results of the just ended October 10 elections went viral – it was being shared via messaging apps WhatsApp and Messenger. Those spreading the disinformation alleged that the data represent “Projections for JNB First Round Victory (Best Case Scenario for CDC),” claiming that it was “90 percent” of the results released by the European Union Observation Mission (EU-OM) to Liberia.
A thorough verification of this information found that the spreadsheet or its screenshot was not released by the EU-OM. A FrontPage Africa news report quoting the EU Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez furthered debunked this as “Fake”.
Amid this trend of disinformation and the attribution of manipulated or fabricated information to international organizations, here is what you need to know about the Mission of the EU-OM to Liberia 2023 presidential and legislative elections.
To understand the mission of the EU-OM, we contacted Jarek Domanski, Deputy Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission, who outlines the purpose of the Mission to in observing Liberia.
Why is Election Observation Important
Election observation is an essential component of European Union activities to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law worldwide. Election observation can contribute to strengthening democratic institutions, build public confidence in electoral processes and help deter fraud, intimidation, and violence.
EU EOMs employ a long-term observation methodology to assess election processes against international standards and best practices for genuine democratic elections. The international obligations established by international and regional treaties to which the host country, in this case Liberia, has agreed to be bound to include universal principles that apply to the conduct of elections, such as fundamental freedoms and political rights.
“EU observers will not interfere in the election process. Where problems are observed, the EU EOM bring them to the attention of electoral authorities but will not intervene to correct or otherwise directly influence the proceedings.” – Jarek Domanski, Deputy Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission
How Does EU-OM Work
To ensure a consistent approach to election observation, the EU applies the same methodology in all countries where it observes elections. This criterion ensures that accurate and verifiable information on the conduct of a given electoral process and other indicators of the wider democratic environment are gathered systematically by an EU EOM.
The use of commitments and obligations for democratic elections deriving from international and regional human rights instruments as well as good practices for democratic elections, ensures that information gathered is assessed through a standard and impartial approach that is relevant and applicable to all countries observed.
The assessment of a given electoral process does not involve comparison between individual countries observed. The observation methodology comprehensively focuses on all aspects and stages of an election process. The assessment work of an EU EOM is undertaken through the direct observation of electoral events by EU observers and analysis of information obtained from relevant documents and meetings with a broad range of national and regional election stakeholders. Observers are deployed in the capital city and regional locations across the host country to ensure that there is a balance of coverage of different regions, and urban and rural areas.
EU observers – consisting of a core team based in the capital and long-term observers (LTOs) based in regions across the host country – are present from the opening of the campaign to the announcement of final results and the conclusion of any election-related complaints. Where electoral events such as the registration of voters and candidates takes place before EU observers are deployed, an assessment can still be made of relevant legal and procedural issues and, from the information an EU EOM receives from election stakeholders and election-day observation, the extent to which the law and procedures were properly implemented.
EU OM Avoids Partiality
EU election observers are obliged to be strictly impartial and not to show bias towards any side in an electoral process. They will base their findings only on accurate and verifiable information. The EU EOM will not accept offers of assistance or support that may compromise its independence or be perceived as partisanship. An EU EOM is independent in its findings and conclusions.
Although there will be close cooperation with the EU institutions, the EU EOM operate under a separate and distinct mandate from that of the European Union institutions involved and of its Delegation present in the country observed.
EU observers will not interfere in the election process. Where problems are observed, the EU EOM bring them to the attention of electoral authorities but will not intervene to correct or otherwise directly influence the proceedings.
EU observers will seek to have a courteous and constructive relationship with the electoral authorities and all electoral stakeholders. The EU EOM will report on the accuracy, transparency, and timely delivery of election results only, not on the political outcome of the results. In its final report, an EU EOM will offer recommendations for improving the integrity and effectiveness of future electoral processes and the wider process of democratization.
EU observers will respect the laws of the host country. An EU EOM will be deployed only after receipt of an invitation from the state and/or electoral authorities of the host country.
Conclusion
Liberia’s election law give authority to the National Elections Commission to conduct national elections and announce results. International organizations like the EU are not authorized to release results although they are obligated to observe the conduct of the election process including the announcement of result. As mentioned by Mr. Domanski, the EU OM “respect the laws of the host country”. This means, the EU OM cannot collect, and release election results as was being propagated by political supporters. Based on further research, there has been no instance where EU EOM release election results in any other country.