CIP Mozambique Elections: Renamo calls demos for Tuesday because of elections
File photo: Courtesy of Ntatenda
Mozambique’s electoral law is complex, contradictory, and rigid – and both Frelimo and the opposition decline opportunities to clean it up – most recently in July when parliament approved the revised municipal elections law. Each candidate must supply five documents, some notarised, which is not a requirement in most countries; even for small parties and citizens lists, the candidates list must have enough people to fill all assembly seats plus three, even though they have no hope of winning all the seats.
Even the big opposition parties seem happy to create hurdles for new challengers, although the complex rules mainly benefit Frelimo which has more lawyers and is better organised.
Two citizens lists – AJUDEM in Maputo and UMODJA in Mocimboa da Praia – were caught out by leaving two little time to get enough candidates on their lists. Venâncio Mondlane and Manuel da Araujo were both caught out by not having lawyers read the law closely enough – and failed to ask for changes in key clauses in July in parliament when it was possible because there was a mood of consensus.
Even Renamo has been caught out. The official campaign, which starts 25 September, gives special rights to candidates, including having marches without advance permission. But until then, the normal law applies, and written advance notice must be given. Frelimo is organised enough to do that. But Renamo demands flexibility, saying the campaign period law should be applied now, and to not to do so is to discriminate against then and is unfair.
Everyone wants the law to be strict and complicated to restrain the other side, but demands flexibility for themselves.
By Joaseph Hanlon
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