By Own Correspondent| At least 44 of the European Union long term observers will today return to their home countries leaving the core team of the mission to closely monitor the country’s post elections environment.

The observers, led by Chief Observer Elmar Brok, a Member of the European Parliament from Germany comprised of more than 140 observers from all EU member states, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland.

A ten-person core-team arrived in Harare on 6 June while the 44 long-term observers arrived in Zimbabwe on 19 June and were deployed to all ten provinces a few days later.

The observers whose mandate included observing the electoral process in their areas and report back to the core-team in Harare were also joined by 44 short-term observers shortly before the election day to observe voting, counting and the tabulation of results.

Said the EUOM Zimbabwe:

While the 44 long-term observers will return to their home countries tomorrow, the core team of the mission will remain in Harare to closely observe the administration of petitions and other election related issues. 3/3

— EUEOM Zimbabwe 2018 (@eueomzimbabwe) August 11, 2018