Zambezia STAE was unable to accredit more than 1000 independent observers, but many credentials were issued for a Frelimo “observer” group, the National Youth Council (Conselho Nacional da Juventude, CNJ). But our correspondents reports that CNJ abused observer’s special voting rights In Zambezia to vote several times at different polling stations. Cases have been reported in Mopeia and Inhassunge districts.
In Mopeia, close to 300 CNJ observers were transported to the polling centres in groups by Frelimo’s first secretary, including in a vehicle with AEG 125 MP number plate. The “observers” voted in primary schools 8 March, 16 June and Sede, our correspondents report. “Observers walked in groups of 10 to 20 at each polling centre and went to each table to vote,” our correspondent said this morning.
In the Inhassunge district of Zambezia, observers from the CNJ and local churches accredited by the District Election Commission (CDE) used the special vote right to vote for Frelimo several times, the Renamo delegate told our correspondents. Among the observers was a police officer and former police spokesman in Zambezia, Jacinto Felix.
The “observers” voted at three polling stations (042787-06B, 042787-04, 042787-05) at Eduardo Mondlane School in Inhassunge with the permission of the polling station staff and were transported in a Frelimo vehicle with registration AGA-493-MC to Mussama locality about 10 km from Inhassunge to vote again.
Ballots burned in Sofala
A polling station, including ballot boxes, was apparently set on fire last night in Ilha da Inharingue, Machanga, Sofala, STAE Provincial Director Jorge Donquene told reporters today in Beira. But the event remains confused. A police statement issued today in Maputo said that “around 300 Renamo members and supporters vandalized the school and tried unsuccessfully, thanks to the police’s prompt intervention, to seize 9 ballot boxes.” The
statement added that five houses of traditional construction were burned, and precarious construction nine people were arrested.
But our correspondents tell a different story. They say people stormed and set fire to the home of Frelimo’s first secretary and of a teacher, claiming they were hiding ballot boxes with pre-marked Frelimo ballot papers.
Observer harassment
Observers were intimidated and evicted from polling stations in Gaza and Nampula, the Civil Society Learning Centre (CESC) reported this afternoon.
In Gaza “the counting of votes in almost all polling stations was marked by the intimidation and expulsion of opposition party observers and delegates from the polling stations by STAE technicians and polices. Ten CESC observers were expelled from their polling stations and prevented from observing the vote count, and a further two were threatened with death.”
In Nampula, “CESC observers were intimidated and threatened and even prevented from doing their observational work by STAE-related people and observers from AMULTSDS, an organization that emerged surprisingly in these elections and is linked to the Frelimo party. At certain polling stations, such as EPC Maria da Luz Guebuza, police have prohibited observers from taking pictures of the results (editais) posted outside the
classroom” used as the polling station.
Frelimo calls for calm
In the face of growing allegations of electoral fraud that may have contributed to Frelimo’s probable victory, the party’s secretary general, Roque Silva, called on the press today to urge Mozambicans to look forward to the results with calm. “We wanted to urge all Mozambicans to continue serenely until the relevant bodies make public the official results. And that these should not be seen as a gain for one party but the victory of all Mozambicans,” said Roque Silva in a statement to the press that did not allow journalist questions.
