The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to São Tomé and Príncipe deployed 14 short-term observers throughout the country on 15 July 2026, the mission announced in a press release. The short-term observers are the third contingent of the mission, following a core team of seven electoral experts that arrived on 14 June and two long-term observers who have been in the field since 30 June. Chief Observer Sérgio Humberto, a member of the European Parliament, said the mission would carry out a rigorous, objective and comprehensive assessment of the electoral process based on long-term observation.
The short-term observers received a two-day briefing on the legal framework, electoral background, voting procedures, political environment and media landscape before deployment. On election day, 19 July, they will observe the opening and closing of polling stations, voting, counting and tabulation across all districts of São Tomé and the Autonomous Region of Príncipe. They will be joined by diplomats from EU member states accredited to the country, bringing the total number of observers on election day to 30, including observers from Canada.
The EU EOM will also assess the legal framework, election administration, campaign activities, level playing field, media conduct and resolution of election disputes. A preliminary statement with initial findings will be issued at a press conference on 21 July, two days after the elections. The mission will remain in the country until the electoral process is complete, and a comprehensive final report with recommendations for improving future elections will be published about two months after the elections.