Dr. Kenny Anthony Appointed to Lead Commonwealth Election Observers in Mozambique

Dr. Kenny Anthony, former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, has been appointed to lead a Commonwealth Observer Group during Mozambique’s upcoming general elections. The group, along with 11 experts, will conduct a comprehensive observation of the electoral process from October 1 to October 15, culminating in an interim statement on preliminary findings shortly after the polls on October 9.

The Commonwealth has appointed Dr. Kenny Anthony, the former Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, as the head of its election observation group for the forthcoming general elections in Mozambique. Joining him will be 11 distinguished professionals from various Commonwealth nations, including Francine Baron, the former Foreign Minister of Dominica, and Pauline Welsh, the former Director of Legal Affairs of Jamaica. The Commonwealth Observer Group is scheduled to be in Mozambique from October 1 to October 15, focusing on observing the various stages of the electoral process, including the opening, voting, closing, counting, and result management associated with the elections on October 9. Dr. Anthony expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead such a knowledgeable team, emphasizing their diverse expertise in relevant fields. Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, highlighted Mozambique’s value within the Commonwealth and underscored the organization’s commitment to electoral integrity, noting their extensive history of overseeing elections worldwide. The observers will engage with key stakeholders prior to the election, deploy to regional provinces to observe local preparations, and will issue preliminary findings shortly after the election concludes.

The Commonwealth has a long-established practice of providing election observation missions to its member states as part of its commitment to promote democratic principles and electoral integrity. Mozambique, as a member of the Commonwealth, will be hosting an election on October 9, and the Commonwealth’s involvement signifies its support for a fair electoral process. The appointment of Dr. Anthony and the team of experts illustrates the Commonwealth’s strategy to bring a wealth of international experience to observe and assess the electoral process, reinforcing the legitimacy and transparency of elections in the member countries.

In summary, the Commonwealth’s observer mission to Mozambique, led by Dr. Kenny Anthony, represents an important commitment to ensuring a democratic process in the nation’s upcoming elections. The expertise of the team, backed by the Commonwealth’s rich history of election observation, underscores the significance of transparency and integrity in electoral practices. Following the elections, the team will deliver preliminary findings that will contribute to the ongoing evaluation and support of democratic processes within the Commonwealth.

Original Source: stlucia.loopnews.com