“Bad behaviour” by Frelimo was criticised in a statement today by the President of the National Elections Commission, Sheik Abdul Carimo. Without mentioning Frelimo by name, he cited “obstructions of party entourages in Xai-Xai, Manlakazi, Chókwè, Limpopo and Bilene in Gaza,” which were cases of Frelimo blocking the entourage of Daviz Simango, MDM presidential candidate.
He also said, again without naming the ruling party, that the widespread attempts to collect voters cards and card numbers by Frelimo, especially at schools, is illegal and must stop. “We alert all voters that they should never give their voters card to any person or organisation; the document is personal and non-transferable.” He added that people had no obligation to tell anyone else their voters number and that collecting numbers was also illegal.
The unusual, if camouflaged, criticism of Frelimo is partly a response to our reporting of the blocking of Daviz Simango’s campaign in Gaza and Inhambane and the widespread collection of voters cards and numbers.
