EU on elections

We are equally heartened to note the response of the government to the arrival of the delegation. The only disappointment is the delegation has not been able to gain an audience with the CEC, perhaps the most important official they would have wanted to speak with on the subject of the upcoming polls, as he has unfortunately fallen sick and was unable to meet with them..

Other than this, though, the trip seems to have been quite fruitful, and this is in large part due to the government's accepting the delegation and its mission with good grace. We have not heard angry accusations that such a visit is an affront to our sovereignty, and it seems to us that the government is showing maturity and statesmanship by treating the visit as one of well-meaning allies intended to help the election process.

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The suggestions put forth by the EU delegation are straightforward and uncontroversial. It would be hard to argue against the suggestion that there should be accountability and transparency in the workings of the EC. Similarly, short and long-term election observers is a fine idea.

The notion that the EC should be independent and strong and free from the PMO's authority is one that we have suggested in these pages many times before. Not only us, both others in the media and civil society have also said so, and there is no doubt that such independence is crucial to the EC being able to fulfil its functions properly.

The EU delegation has merely underlined what we already know. Let us now move forward and implement the necessary changes. Without them, the credibility of the next elections will be called into question, and the last thing this country needs is an election with a cloud of suspicion hanging over it.