Mozambique: Gentleman’s agreement not to touch the CNE before the elections? – Hanlon

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Mozambique: Gentleman’s agreement not to touch the CNE before the elections? – Hanlon

4:03 CAT | 11 Jun 2019

FILE: Among the nine members of the CNE with an expired mandate is the current President of the CNE, Sheik Abdul Carimo Nordine Sau. [File photo: Folha de Maputo]

Nine of the 17 members of the National Election Commission (CNE) ended their six-year mandate in May but there is still no plan to replace them. Of these, 5 are indicated by Frelimo, 3 indicated by civil society aligned with Frelimo and one by MDM. Because of an initial boycott by Renamo, the current 17 members of the CNE took office in three groups at different times. Consequently, each group completes six years on a different date.

Among the members of the CNE with an expired mandate is the current President of the CNE, Sheik Abdul Carimo Nordine Sau; the vice-President of the CNE nominated by Frelimo, Antonio Chipanga; and Paulo Cuinica, nominated by civil society (with support from Frelimo), and CNE spokesperson.

The law is unclear on the termination of the mandate of the members of the CNE. In addition to mentioning that the term of office lasts six years, it adds that “the mandate of the members of the National Election Commission is to cease with the inauguration of the new members”, which means that if new members are not named, the present members remain in post. There seems to be a gentlemen’s agreement, reached by Frelimo and Renamo, to keep the current members of the CNE in office until the end of the electoral process.

After being nominated, the members of the CNE are confirmed by parliament (Assembly of the Republic, AR). The next parliament session is in September, one month before the elections. CNE believes that it would not be correct to replace members during the electoral cycle.

The 17 members of the CNE are: