The Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the general elections in Panama, led by the former chancellor of Argentina, Susana Malcorra, began its deployment in the country today for the elections on May 5,” the OAS said in a statement.

The mission, which will arrive in that country in a staggered manner, is composed of 70 experts and observers from 19 countries, according to official information.

In addition, he details that this group “will analyze issues related to electoral organization, electoral technology, electoral justice, political-electoral financing, political participation of women, participation of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples, and campaigns, media and communication.”

The OAS mission is scheduled to meet with “government representatives, electoral authorities, leaders and candidacies and representatives of civil society and academia, as well as members of the international community to learn about the ongoing electoral process.”

On May 5, the day of the elections, “it will be deployed throughout the Panamanian territory, from the installation of the voting centers to the closure and transmission of results” and “to the end of its observation, the OAS will present a preliminary report with its observations and recommendations.”

The OAS mission referred to the error and confusion of last Tuesday in the digital ballot of the advance vote, noting that “it takes note of the inconvenience presented and highlights that, despite the problems, people registered in this modality continue to exercise their right to vote.”

The OAS considered that “gien the context of the electoral contest, clear and precise institutional communication by the authorities is essential.”

8 days ago, Ana Irene Delgado, former Ambassador of Panama in London and deputy, met in Washington with the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro and they talked about the electoral process in Panama and their concern about safeguarding a democratic and participatory electoral process that respects the freedom of exercise to choose and be elected as contemplated by the American Convention on Human Rights and also warned about the intentions of affecting the favorite opposition candidate to win the elections: José Raúl Mulino.