Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the Presidential elections in Zambia (30 October)
- On: 10.11.2008
1. The European Union closely followed the Zambian Presidential elections which were held on 30 October. It welcomes the peaceful conduct of balloting and the work of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), which succeeded, despite the short notice, in organising a major ballot with increased professionalism and concern for transparency. It is regrettable that the time available did not permit the electoral rolls to be brought up to date.
2. The European Union welcomes the observers' finding that the poll was conducted in accordance with SADC principles governing democratic elections, namely a multiparty system, freedom of expression and transparency.
3. The European Union, which is an important partner of Zambia's, notably for development aid, hopes that these elections will confirm Zambia's stability and democratic identity. It hopes that, while strengthening respect for the rule of law, the new President will be able to continue to improve the standard of living of the Zambian people.
4. The European Union encourages the Zambian authorities to remedy the existing weaknesses in the electoral system, taking account of the experience of the elections which have just been held and of the recommendations made by the EU's 2006 election observation mission. The EU is ready to provide its full assistance to Zambia in this area.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.
* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
- Updated: 19.12.2008
