Mozambique Elections: Renamo accuses government of intimidating diplomatic corps
Photo: Notícias
The Mozambican parliament, the Assembly of the Republic, on Wednesday unanimously approved the first reading of two pieces of legislation which pave the way for municipal elections to go ahead, as scheduled, on 10 October.
The legislative changes result from lengthy negotiations between the government and the opposition party Renamo, with the direct involvement of President Filipe Nyusi and the late Renamo leader Afonso Dhlakama. A consensus was achieved through dialogue on the issue of decentralisation. This led to parliament approving constitutional amendments in May. Under these changes, provincial governors, and district administrators will be elected indirectly.
However, for the constitutional amendments to take effect, the election and local government legislation must be updated and brought into line with the Constitution. Thus, today meeting of the Assembly of the Republic approved, in general, the legal framework for local authorities, and the legislation on local elections.
The Minister of State Administration, Carmelita Namashalua, lamented that “the lack of time for the realisation of the next municipal elections seems to be excessively short and does not allow for deep reflection which transcends the results of the current revision”.
However, she stressed that the government will continue to reflect on how to improve the content of the electoral legislation and other legal instruments.
The extraordinary sitting of the Assembly will continue on Thursday when it will address the specifics of the legislation and incorporate changes suggested during today’s debate.
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