NDI PRE-ELECTION MISSION ARRIVES IN GABON
NDI PRE-ELECTION MISSION ARRIVES IN GABON
LIBREVILLE – The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is deploying an international delegation to assess preparations for Gabon’s 2016 presidential election. The group, traveling at the invitation of the Gabonese government, is being welcomed by all Gabonese political parties. The delegation includes political and civic leaders, and election and regional experts from North America, Europe and Africa. It will comprise Right Honorable Joe Clark, former Prime Minister of Canada; Ambassador Maria Leissner, Secretary General of the Community for Democracies; Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, Senior Associate for Africa at NDI and Dr. Sophia Moestrup, Deputy Director for Central and West Africa at NDI.
“The delegation looks forward to open discussions that would foster consensus building around concrete steps that should be taken to ensure a credible presidential poll in August,” said Right Honorable Clark.
The delegation’s purpose is to support Gabonese efforts at ensuring peaceful and credible elections in 2016. During its stay in Gabon, the delegation will meet with representatives of the major political parties from ruling and opposition coalitions, leaders of civic organizations and election authorities, to elicit their views on the electoral framework and political process. The delegation will conduct its activities in conformity with Gabonese law and international standards as reflected in the 2005 “Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation.”
Shortly after the mission, NDI will issue a report with the delegation’s findings and recommendations on steps that could enhance confidence and participation in the election process.
“NDI is proud to assist Gabonese efforts to advance their democratic institutions and electoral systems,” said NDI President Kenneth Wollack. “A peaceful and credible election in Gabon in 2016 would also have a positive impact throughout the region.”
The mission is supported by a grant from the United States Department of State under the Fundamental Freedoms Fund.
###
PS: The delegation will hold a press conference on June 3 in Libreville.
NDI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.