Foreign poll observers for what?

COMMONSENSE

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

In three weeks, we shall be having our national and local elections on May 12. But as early as a week ago, over 200 election observers from the European Union (EU) have arrived in our country to monitor the upcoming midterm elections. Supposedly, this was "upon the invitation of the Philippine government" for observers from 27 EU member states, Canada, Norway and Switzerland to come here and witness for themselves, up close and personal, how we conduct our electoral processes.

Prior to the actual election day, the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Philippines 2025 consists of 72 "long-term observers" deployed last April 16 around the country. Additional EU observers will be deployed around election day, High Representative/Vice President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas announced. The EU EOM team will remain in the country until the completion of the election process.

"Following an invitation by the Philippines' Commission on Elections, this will be the first deployment of an EOM in the country, marking a step toward stronger EU-Philippines relations," the EU EOM disclosed in an official statement.

The International Election Observer Mission (IEOM) is described as "independent" from the EU institutions and EU member-states.

"It is committed to remaining neutral and to abide by the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct for International Election Observers, as well as the laws of the Republic of the Philippines," the IEOM further declared.