EU sends observers for midterm polls

Metro Manila, Philippines - Election observers from the European Union (EU) are now in the country to observe proceedings in the runup to the midterm polls.

The EU Election Observation Mission sent 72 long-term observers throughout the country, and around 100 more will arrive on election day on May 12.

Manuel Sánchez de Nogués, the mission’s deputy chief observer, said they will observe the electoral process including preparations, campaign activities of candidates, the role of media and social media, election day proceedings, and the tallying of votes.

They will also meet with various stakeholders such as election authorities, political parties, and civil society groups.

“It’s consistent, it’s also independent,” De Nogués said of their methods. “We don’t interfere in the process.”

“We observe against internationally recognized standards for holding elections and political participation that had been signed by the state of the Philippines and against national laws,” De Nogués said.

The international observers will issue its preliminary findings two days after the elections, and a full report two months later, forwarding their recommendations to the government for the conduct of future elections.

It was the first time for the EU Election Observation Mission to observe the electoral process in the Philippines, after receiving a request from the government.

More than 68 million Filipino voters will elect over 18,000 officials on May 12.