ADDIS ABABA, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Election observers from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Tuesday engaged with Djibouti's political and electoral authorities ahead of this week's presidential election.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Djibouti-based IGAD said its mission, led by former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, held key consultations with Djibouti's authorities, reaffirming a shared commitment to a credible, transparent and peaceful electoral process.
Djibouti is set to hold its presidential election on April 10, with incumbent President Ismail Omar Guelleh of the ruling Union for the Presidential Majority facing Mohamed Farah Samatar of the Unified Democratic Center.
As part of its activities, the IGAD mission met with the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, President of the Constitutional Council Abdi Ismael Hersi, and President of the National Human Rights Commission Ali Soubaneh Atteyeh.
IGAD said the discussions focused on institutional preparedness to effectively conduct the election, the legal electoral framework, as well as the protection of human rights in the electoral process.
The East African bloc has deployed an observation team to monitor the country's presidential election, following an invitation from the Djiboutian government.
IGAD said its mission, comprising national election management bodies, civil society organizations and youth groups from Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda, will be deployed nationwide to monitor voting, counting, and other poll procedures.
On Sunday, Djibouti's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that 67 international observers, from the African Union, IGAD, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, will monitor the country's upcoming presidential election.
The international observers will meet presidential candidates, political authorities and election institutions, providing independent oversight of Friday's vote, according to the ministry.
Campaigning has intensified over the past week, with both candidates holding rallies across the country. Incumbent President Guelleh is seeking a sixth term in office. ■