Garikai Mafirakureva 

HARARE- The EU Election Observation Mission Chief Observer Fabio Massimo Castaldo said that the allegations of interference and improper conduct are based on unsubstantiated rumors and entirely fabricated. 

Castaldo, who arrived in Zimbabwe this morning to continue his observation of the electoral process of the 23 August elections in person, went on to say the article published in a local newspaper yesterday was not only malicious and defamatory but meant to discredit the mission. 

He further said the EU EOM and its observers do not engage in inappropriate activities, nor do they interfere with the process.

“The EU EOM adheres to a strict code of conduct and has taken note of previous unacceptable attempts to discredit the mission. The EU EOM sees these articles as blatant disinformation of the Zimbabwean public. They reflect a continued effort to undermine the EU EOM and credible election observation”, said Chief Observer Castaldo.

The EU EOM was invited by the government of Zimbabwe to conduct a comprehensive, independent, impartial assessment of the electoral process. 

The EU EOM continues its work, according to its mandate and methodology based on the principles of independence, impartiality and non-interference.”