The Palestinian Central Elections Commission (CEC) extended an official invitation today to the European Parliament and the European Union (EU) to observe the upcoming Palestinian elections.
EU Representative, Sven Kuhn von Burgsdorf, received the invitations during his meeting today with the CEC Chairman, Hanna Nasser, at the CEC headquarters in Al-Bireh, where Nasser stressed the importance of international observation to the electoral process, particularly by the EU, as a long-running key partner to the CEC.
Nasser also urged all international observation bodies to monitor the upcoming elections.
On the other side, Burgsdorf appreciated the role of the CEC and its preparedness despite existing challenges, while stressing EU’s support to holding free and fair elections in line with international standards.
Burgsdorf stressed the importance of ensuring an all-Palestinian participation in the electoral process in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, as candidates and voters.
It should be noted that at the beginning of an electoral process, the CEC would invite local and international bodies working in democracy and good governance to apply for accreditation as an observation mission. Accreditation grants observers access to polling centers to monitor election progress and ensure elections integrity and transparency.