Mozambique Elections: Poster battles continue; collecting cards – By Joseph Hanlon

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Mozambique Elections: Poster battles continue; collecting cards – By Joseph Hanlon

10:06 CAT | 04 Sep 2019

Eduardo Mondlane Statue, in Nacala Porto, Nampula aprovince, [Picture: Sala da Paz]

In Morrumbala, Zambezia, and Magoe, Tete, Frelimo supporters pasted Frelimo posters on houses of Renamo supporters.

In Morrumbene, Inhambane, Renamo accuses the secretary of the Frelimo youth movement (Organizacao da Juventude Mocambicana, OJM), Joaquim Maria, of organising people to paste Frelimo posters on top of Renamo ones.

In Xai-Xai, Gaza, Frelimo accuses Renamo and MDM of destroying its campaign material. Renamo and MDM deny this. Indeed, Renamo spokesperson Arnaldo Manhique accused Frelimo of pasting its posters on top of Renamo ones.

In Murrupula, Nampula, Renamo pasted posters of is presidential candidate Ossufo Momade over the face of Frelimo candidate Filipe Nyusi on Frelimo posters.

In Maputo city, there are many posters for MDM and Frelimo on the walls of private houses. In Funhalouro, there are Frelimo posters blocking traffic signs. In Mandimba, there are Frelimo posters on the Baptist Church.

The electoral law makes it a crime to pull down or deface campaign posters. It also makes it illegal to put posters on private houses without permission of the occupant, and to obscure traffic signs and lights with posters. Posters cannot be put on churches or government buildings. But these rules are not enforced.

Indeed, a snack bar owner in Moatize, Tete, was arrested for taking down Frelimo posters put up over the windows of his shop. He was released when the police decided it was not a crime to take down posters that had been put on private property without permission, AIM reports today.

Collecting cards

In the village of Canhavano, Gaza, Carlota Matxani, village secretary and Frelimo member, is collecting voters cards, noting data and numbers, causing concern by some residents. Three local residents complained to this Bulletin.

By Joseph Hanlon

Source: 2019 General Elections - Mozambique Political Process Bulletin