At the call of the Election Commission, the European Union is set to deploy a vote observation mission to monitor the elections for the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies scheduled for November 26 and December7.

The election authority has invited interested international organisations, countries and missions to observe the two crucial polls.

The Election Observation Mission Core Team of ten EU election analysts arrived in Nepal on Wednesday. It will stay in the country until the completion of the electoral process and prepare a comprehensive final report.

By November 3, the core team will be joined by 38 long-term observers who will be deployed across the country, the Delegation of the EU to Nepal said in a statement.

The European Union deployed its election observation missions both in 2008 and 2013, reflecting the EU’s “long-term commitment to supporting credible, transparent and inclusive elections” in Nepal.

Federica Mogherini, high representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and vice-president of the European Commission, has appointed Željana Zovko, member of the European Parliament, as the chief observer, according to a statement.

High Representative Mogherini stated: “Earlier this year, we witnessed the first local elections in Nepal in 20 years. The upcoming elections for the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies will be another important moment for the country and crucial for completing the constitutional transition process. The European Union will provide an important contribution to this electoral process.”

Chief Observer Zovko said: “The forthcoming elections are taking place under a new political and electoral system. I’m very committed to accompany Nepal in this important phase of its democratic process.”

On November 20, twenty short-term observers will be deployed for the first stage of elections scheduled for November 26, while an additional 24 short-term observers will be deployed on December 1 for the December 7 vote.

Shortly after poling is over, the mission will issue its preliminary report in Kathmandu. A final assessment, including recommendations for future electoral processes, would be presented later, after the electoral process is over.