Since the opening of voting, people have been caught with blank ballot papers or those marked in favour of Frelimo and its presidential candidate, trying to introduce them at the ballot boxs. Felisberto Naife, Director of the Technical Secretariat of the Electoral Administration (STAE), admitted the problem existed but refused to comment at press conference this afternoon. This should be impossible and requires the connivance of polling station staff.
Our correspondents across the country reported cases throughout the day, particularly in Nampula, Zambezia and Sofala, all provinces of opposition influence.
In the district of Angoche (Nampula), a citizen with 27 ballot papers was found outside the polling station at EPC Eduardo Mondlane where the vote was taking place. He was referred to the police;
In Mopeia District (Zambezia), at EPC June 16, a scrutineer named Selma Francisco was found with pre-marked ballot papers for Frelimo, about to be introduced to the ballot boxes.
In Dachua, Milange (Zambezia), a citizen was arrested with more than 6 extra ballot papers. Also in Milange in Chitambo, another citizen was caught with pre-marked ballot papers in favour of Frelimo.
In Mocuba (Zambezia), at Mangulamelo Secondary School, a citizen with pre-marked bulletins was found in the backpack. It was approached by a Renamo delegate and taken to the police. The photo below is from Diario da Zambezia.
In Inhassunge (Zambézaia) at Mussama primary school, a local teacher named Bimo was caught with 8 ballot papers.
In Cheringoma Sofala, at Chide primary school two women were found with additional ballot papers they were trying to put into the ballot box. The two were detained by the police present at the polling station.
In Beira, at Matacuane primary school, a person was found with 12 extra ballot papers outside the polling station.
Tear gas triggers last minute decision on register error
Police used tear gas to disperse voters who claimed they had voters cards but their names were absent from the register book in Mocuba, Zambezia, reports observer group CESC. Hundreds of voters fled the polling station and tear gas without exercising their right to vote. Finally, too late this afternoon to be of any use, STAE issued a ruling that anyone with a voters card with a number that corresponds to a polling stations must be allowed to vote.
