Mozambique Elections: "This time, the extent of the fraud was such that it was not possible to hide ...
Photo: Presidencia da Republica de Moçambique
Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Thursday urged Mozambicans to remain calm as they wait for the definitive results from the local elections held in the country’s 53 municipalities last week.
In a communication to the nation, broadcast over the main television channels, Nyusi said the elections were a high point in democratic life and the exercise of citizenship.
“We gave an eloquent example of democratic coexistence even though there were some acts of violence that we strongly condemn”, said the President. “We were able to hold the elections successfully despite the economic adversities the country is passing through, which constitutes an important step for peace and stability in our country”.
He praised the high turnout (about 60.3 per cent overall), and the peaceful election campaign. “These were the elections with the highest turnout ever”, said Nyusi, “and the ones which registered fewest cases of violence, taking into account the occurrences that were protested and reported”.
“Mozambique once again showed the world its political maturity”, continued Nyusi, “a fact that Mozambicans should be proud of”.
He congratulated all three of the parties that had won control of municipalities (the ruling Frelimo Party, the former rebel movement Renamo, and the Mozambique Democratic Movement, MDM).
He praised the parties for their “respect for the law and for other people, and their tolerance”. These were values that should prevail and be consolidated.
Nyusi also had words of praise for the electoral bodies, the National Elections Commission (CNE), and its executive arm, the Electoral Administration Technical Secretariat (STAE). He claimed they had been professional and were able “to manage the elections, ensuring that they took place within the legally envisaged parameters”.
He added that the Mozambican and foreign observers “openly and with maximum transparency bore witness to the Mozambican festival of democracy, and legitimised the process without being pressured”.
According to the results announced so far, Frelimo won in 44 municipalities, Renamo in eight and the MDM in one. But in terms of votes cast, the picture is very different – Frelimo won a slim majority of 51.95 per cent, followed by Renamo (38.71 per cent) and the MDM (8.5 per cent).
These results are not definitive. They are currently being checked by the CNE, which will announce its results next week. Even that is not the end – the results must be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council, the highest body in matters of constitutional and electoral law.
Nyusi urged citizens to wait calmly until the definitive results are proclaimed.
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