Fake news from Zambezia STAE; no registration extension – Hanlon

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Fake news from Zambezia STAE; no registration extension – Hanlon

3:14 CAT | 20 May 2019

FILE: Abdul Carimo

STAE Zambezia’s claim of perfect operation last week did not stand up to investigation by our correspondents. “Of the 809 registration brigades in the province of Zambezia, covering 1,144 registration posts, all of them are operating in full, corresponding to 100% operability,” said STAE Zambesia on 13 May.

But our correspondents report that late last week, dozens of Zambezia registration posts were closed, largely due to technical problems with the registration computer, known as the Mobile ID. In a report that looks like fake news, STAE Zambezia said “the Mobile IDs and their software are functioning perfectly”. Some posts have never opened, since the 15 April start of registration.

In contrast to Zambezia STAE, our correspondents report:

Gurue: EPC (primary school) de Nipeve, has never opened due to lack of material. EP Contape closed since Wednesday due to battery problems. EPC Montes Namuli, closed for more than a week.

Gile: At least three posts closed for more than two weeks because of equipment failures, at Naquicupa, Namitathary and Nacuna.

Quelimane: Equipment failures have closed the posts at Cololo and Namuinho for five days.

Nicoadala: Three weeks ago STAE transferred the Mobile ID from Muloguiua to another post 28 km away, and the post is not open.

Milange: EPC de Mbessa closed for the past 10 days because printer not working. EPC de Xai-Xai, in Chitambo never opened because the Mobile ID did not function; it was removed by technicians and never returned.

Maganja da Costa: The Mobile ID at EPC de Muiebe, in Nante, has not been working for a week. STAE was informed.

Morrumbala: EPC Trinta closed because Mobile ID not working. At EPC de Nangaze and EPC de Sabe people can register but their voter’s cards are not being printed.

Inhassunge: EPC de Ilova has constant problems with Mobile ID.

Mocuba: EPC de Chingoma and Mpunha have no electricity supply.

Some districts in Gaza and Zambezia beat targets

Despite the problems and fake news, Zambezia has been catching up. By 12 May it has registered 56% of its target – still too low but above the national average. Five districts in Zambezia has beaten their targets for the whole registration period with two weeks still to go. STAE reports that by 15 May theses were over their total targets: Quelimane (103%), Maganja da Costa (102%), Milange (100%), Mocuba (100%), and Mocubela (218%).
Highest registration is in Gaza (75% on 12 May) and targets has already been topped last week in Xai-Xai (102%), Bilene (103%), Chibuto (100%), Mapai (101%) and Massingir (101%).

But Nampula and Niassa hit by equipment problems

Two of the lowest three registration levels on 12 May were in Nampula (44%) and Niassa (41%).

In Sanga, Niassa, STAE operations head Alexandre Jalane says there is simply not enough equipment at district level, and five registration posts are closed. EP1 de Mbemba has been closed for a week due to lack of printer toner and a STAE technician on Saturday could not solve the problem. Registration is also paralysed at EP1 de Chilapitangongo, Merenda, de Micailo and Chicuedo.

Elsewhere in these provinces, our correspondents report serious equipment problems:

Mogincual: at Naminane turnout is so high that people have to mark their place in the queue a day in advance. But registration has stopped because the printer is not working.

Mogovolas: EP1 de Mochiua, Mobile ID not working since 6 May.

Lalaua: three posts with non-working printers, Lurio, Meti and Naquessa.

Malema: EPC de Nataleia, no fuel for the generator.

Nampula: EPC Parque Popular, Mobile ID will reissue lost voter’s cards but not accept new voters.

Nacala Porto: EP1 de Micajune, closed due to lack of forms for three weeks. Similarly, in Nacarôa, EPC de Munama has been closed for five days due to lack of forms.

No registration extension

Registration is below expectations, but there will be no extension beyond 30 May, declared CNE President Abdul Carimo in a press statement Wednesday 15 May. “There are 15 days left and that is enough to register everyone who has not done so,” he said. “Conditions have been created so that registration posts will be open”, he said. He appealed to people to register as soon as possible, to avoid long queues “and other kinds of discomfort that might occur in the pressures of the last days.”

A dour CNE President read out a statement he appeared not to have written, and took no questions from the press.

By Joseph Hanlon

Source: 2019 General Elections - Mozambique Political Process Bulletin