The Carter Center says it has launched an international election observation mission for Kenya's upcoming election.

The Atlanta-based institution says it has established a field office in Nairobi and will closely monitor legal and political developments that could affect the election. The center says starting early will allow the observers to monitor pre-election preparations.

The center will deploy 14 long-term observers across Kenya. They will be responsible for gathering firsthand knowledge of the activities of the election commission, political parties, civil society organizations and the international community, as well as other election observation missions.

The observers' deployment coincides with the formal nomination of candidates.

Tags: Kenya, Carter Center, The Carter Center