Dr. Kenny Anthony to Lead Commonwealth Election Observers in Mozambique
Dr. Kenny Anthony, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, will lead the Commonwealth Observer Group in Mozambique for the upcoming general elections. The group, consisting of 13 experts, will oversee the electoral process from October 1 to October 15, culminating in an interim findings report on October 11, 2024.
The Commonwealth has designated Dr. Kenny Anthony, the former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, to spearhead its observer mission for the forthcoming general election in Mozambique. He will be accompanied by a team of 11 experts hailing from various Commonwealth nations, with notable inclusions such as Francine Baron, the former Foreign Minister of Dominica, and Pauline Welsh, the former Director of Legal Affairs in Jamaica. The Commonwealth Observer Group is scheduled to be in Mozambique from October 1st to 15th to monitor critical phases of the electoral process, including the opening, voting, closing, counting, and management of results for the elections set to occur on October 9th. Dr. Anthony expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead this esteemed group, emphasizing the diverse expertise represented by the observers in areas such as electoral law, civil society, and human rights. This announcement was made in London by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, who reaffirmed Mozambique’s significance as a member of the Commonwealth and underscored the organization’s long-standing commitment to advancing electoral integrity globally. The observers are set to arrive in Mozambique on October 1st, where they will engage with key electoral stakeholders, including officials from the electoral management body, political parties, civil society organizations, media representatives, and the diplomatic community. Following their arrival, beginning October 7th, they will deploy in smaller teams across various provinces to monitor electoral preparations and interact with local stakeholders ahead of the election. On election day, the Group will conduct a comprehensive observation of the entire electoral process and subsequently issue an interim statement regarding their preliminary findings on October 11, 2024.
The appointment of Dr. Kenny Anthony to lead the Commonwealth Observer Group in Mozambique occurs within the context of Mozambique’s upcoming general election. The Commonwealth has a robust history of overseeing elections across multiple nations and seeks to ensure electoral integrity through its observation missions. These missions aim to enhance the credibility of electoral processes while supporting democracy within Commonwealth member states.
In summary, Dr. Kenny Anthony’s leadership of the Commonwealth Observer Group underscores the Commonwealth’s commitment to promoting democratic practices and electoral integrity in Mozambique. The team’s diverse expertise reflects a comprehensive approach to election monitoring, aiming to foster transparency and trust in the electoral process.
Original Source: stlucia.loopnews.com