Mozambican police declare zero tolerance for voters remaining at polling stations

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Mozambican police declare zero tolerance for voters remaining at polling stations

2:05 CAT | 24 Sep 2018

Photo: Notícias

Mozambique’s Commander-in-chief of Police, Bernardino Rafael, has said that the police will not allow voters to linger at polling stations on voting day.

Rafael was reacting to the Mozambican Democratic Movement (MDM) delegate in Zambézia, who said that his party’s supporters would vote and then remain in polling stations, supposedly because opponents may attempt fraud.

According to Rafael, the law does not allow the presence of any other than accredited polling officials at polling stations.

“After voting, you can go home and monitor the results by the media, who will inform you of everything that is going on. No one is allowed to remain in polling stations after voting: it is illegal,” he explained.

According to the police chief, the best way to avoid electoral violence is to obey the law and follow the instructions of the authorities. The police would not tolerate any behaviour that put public order and security at risk, he said.

Rafael also appealed to candidates and their agents to develop their understanding of the electoral process so as to fill gaps and improve their interpretation.

“Understand the law and don’t blame the police for failure in the elections. Hold responsible the people who head up your manifestos. We do not want political leaders to incite violence, using even children. Avoid any pronouncement that might instigate violence,” he said.

The PRM commander-in-chief made his statements at a meeting with the heads of list in Zambézia province this week.

Candidates promise civility in Nampula

The heads of list competing in the Nampula local election have promised to show civility and moderation during the election campaign.

At their meeting with Commander Rafael, eight candidates said they would use their influence with their supporters to ensure that the electoral process was not marred by clashes.

For the heads of the list, civility on the part both of citizens and those competing in the elections would be observed from the first day of campaigning until the winners take office, especially in their cooperation with the police

The PRM commander-in-chief reminded the candidates that “we are all Mozambicans” and whoever wins the elections will direct other compatriots, hence “there is no reason to fight”.

Bernardino Rafael also urged competitors to trust the police and to move away from the mind-set of continuing blaming electoral failure on fraud.

“We will continue to show the world that our democracy has grown, freeing us from acts of violence. We will campaign without skirmishes, without destruction of propaganda material and the assets of others,” he said.

The trip to Nampula marked the end of Bernardino Rafael’s provincial tour of the country talking to competitors in the 10 October elections.

Source: Notícias