No credentials were issued today to observer groups coordinated by EISA, which are the biggest independent civil society observation. EISA groups are missing 3756 observer credentials. Sala da Paz is missing more than 300. But late today there may finally be movement in one problem province, Zambézia. With the election only two days away and many observers far away from provincial capitals, it increasingly looks like a conscious attempt to prevent independent national observation in areas where fraud is possible.
“In Tete we are on duty at the provincial STAE until they issue credentials. They said material was all used up and they have already ordered more. We spoke to the Director and said he would give us attention but it depends on supplies of material in Maputo. I asked for A4 paper credentials and he said it can’t be done because national STAE didn’t approve this format and it has no legitimacy to do so. Someone just came in from the Red Cross with a bunch of applications; some don’t even have a photo. They’re there taking pictures and making credentials. I asked the person if the Red Cross would observe; they said no, they will only provide first aid. So there is clearly material for making badges. But we are kept waiting,” said the representative of the three civil society groups linked to EISA which are hoping to observe in Tete: CDD, Joint and the Catholic church. EISA has applied for 1156 observer credentials in Tete, only 337 (29%) have been issued.
The same groups are also observing in Zambézia, which appears finally to responding to heavy pressure from Maputo, and to be printing some credentials, although none has been handed over. In Zambézia 1227 EISA credentials are outstanding. Observers say: “In Zambézia we are at STAE on duty. No one is here to attend to us.
We called the president of the CPE but he did not answer. We asked the guard who said they are in a meeting. The secretary said she would call the communications department but they did not reply.”
In Sofala: “We have been at STAE since morning. No credentials yet. After waiting so long and unsuccessfully, we found the chief of operations. He said Monday.”
CESC in Gaza said “the STAE Director informed me that the Provincial Commission has received about 800 accreditation requests and that because they are using a single machine it takes a long time to accredit. But he said that STAE Technicians will accredit all observers”. Sociedade aberta is also having problems in Maputo province.
Sala da Paz in Zambézia has been told that 174 of 285 credentials is ready and all will be ready shortly. But in Nampula requests for more than 200 observers have been turned down. And Sala da Paz is also having problems in Sofala.
After 6 months (not 5 days) all CIP correspondents accredited
Credentials for our correspondent observers in Zambézia were requested by CIP (Public Integrity Centre), publishers of this bulletin, in April 2019 to observe the electoral process, beginning with the voter registration. But we only received the credentials yesterday, the penultimate day of the election campaign, thanks to the intervention of the National Election Commission (CNE) at central level. The Zambézia Provincial Election Commission (CPE) has not yet responded to our request, even though the law requires a response within 5 days. All of our 486 correspondents now have credentials.
