Mozambique Elections: Renamo again cites rumours of hidden stuffed ballot boxes – Hanlon

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Mozambique Elections: Renamo again cites rumours of hidden stuffed ballot boxes – Hanlon

8:50 CAT | 05 Oct 2018

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Based entirely on rumours, Renamo in Vila Manica claims that stuffed ballot boxes are being imported from Zimbabwe. In a handwritten statement the district delegate Ana Jose, appears to cite the father of a frontier guard, who said that the ballot boxes were taken to the house of an unknown person in 25 September neighbourhood. Bento Jose Luis, Renamo campaign director, told the Bulletin that the ballot boxes were then moved to the official guest house of the district administrator, but that he believes that they have next been moved to the house of the secretary of 25 September neighbourhood, Pita Meque. Luis said he went to inspect the house but was threatened and had to leave.

Comment: In every election, Renamo claims to have discovered caches of stuffed ballot boxes, which have never actually been seen. Renamo also has never explained how they would be used. Votes are counted in the polling station immediately after voting and the ballot box is never out of sight of the polling station staff and party poll watchers. So what would Frelimo do with the additional stuffed ballot boxes?

In fact, we have seen very few cases of stuffed ballot boxes. What usually happens is that the result sheet is changed to show 100% turnout and everyone voting for Frelimo. Sometimes, the change is made without the Renamo delegate noticing or being present, but in some cases the fake results sheet is even signed by the Renamo delegate. There is “ballot box stuffing” but it is done with a false results sheet and not a full ballot box.

By Joseph Hanlon