2024 Mozambican general election
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 Africa portal |
General elections were held in Mozambique on 9 October 2024.[1][2][3]
The ruling party, FRELIMO, which has increasingly become marked with growing concerns of authoritarianism and impunity amid the controversies surrounding the 2023 local elections and the 2019 general election, is predicted to win.[4]
Background
[edit]FRELIMO, which has ruled the country since 1975 when they created a one-party Marxist–Leninist state, allowed multi-party elections as part of the peace process that ended the Mozambican Civil War in 1994; however, the opposition has decried these elections as rigged in FRELIMO's favor. After the 2023 local elections protests broke out due to alleged fraud on the part of FRELIMO with the police killing at least three protesters. Public perceptions of the election were muted, as many view a FRELIMO victory as a foregone conclusion.[5]
Electoral system
[edit]The President is elected using the two-round system.[6] The 250 members of the Assembly of the Republic are elected by proportional representation in eleven multi-member constituencies based on the country's provinces and on a first-past-the-post basis from two single-member constituencies representing Mozambican citizens in Africa and Europe. Seats in the multi-member constituencies are allocated using the d'Hondt method, with an electoral threshold of 5%.[7] Official results are announced by the National Election Commission (CNE) after 15 days and must subsequently be validated by the Constitutional Council.[8]
Concerns have been raised over discrepancies in the total number of registered voters, which stands at more than 17 million.[9] The non-governmental organisation Centro de Integridade Pública, citing data published by the CNE, said that there are 878,868 more registered voters than there are voting age adults in some provinces, leading them to describe 5% of the electorate as "ghost voters". The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance also notes the existence of "ghost voters" in seven of the country's ten provinces, with up to a third of the registered voting population in Gaza Province believed to be non-existent.[10]
Candidates
[edit]On 5 May 2024, after a meeting of its Central Committee, FRELIMO named Daniel Chapo, a 47-year old law professor and former governor of Inhambane Province, as its candidate in the upcoming election to succeed outgoing president Filipe Nyusi.[11] Chapo is the first presidential candidate of FRELIMO who was born after Mozambique gained independence in 1975.[10]
On the same date, the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM) selected its leader, Lutero Simango, to be its candidate for the October elections.[12]
Other candidates include Ossufo Momade, the leader of the RENAMO party since 2018 who had lost in the 2019 presidential election to Nyusi, and Venâncio Mondlane, a banker and forestry engineer[8] who ran as an independent after breaking away from RENAMO following an unsuccessful bid in the mayoral election in Maputo in 2023 that was marred by allegations of electoral fraud.[10] Mondlane was supported by the newly established Optimist Party for the Development of Mozambique (PODEMOS), as well as the Democratic Alliance, a coalition of opposition parties that were barred from contesting the election.[13][14] Mondlane was registered as the PODEMOS party's presidential candidate for this election.[15][16] Also, the president of the PODEMOS party, Albino Forquilha, said that he allows for the possibility of Mondlane becoming the party leader in the future.[17]
Campaign
[edit]Campaigning was held from August to 6 October.[18] Both Chapo and Mondlane also made campaign stops in neighbouring South Africa, appealing to overseas voters there.[10] All three candidates named the resolution of the Insurgency in Cabo Delgado as their main priority.[19] Chapo was seen as the favorite to win the election.[5] Independent candidate Venancio Mondlane was seen as the biggest challenge to Chapo.[20]
Observers
[edit]The Southern African Development Community sent 52 election observers to monitor the election.[19] Observers were also deployed by the African Union and the European Union.[20] More than 200 polling places refused observers access during the election.[21]
Results
[edit]President
[edit]Opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane preemptively declared himself victor.[22]
By 16 October preliminary reports showed Chapo in the lead.[23]
| Candidate | Party | |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Chapo | FRELIMO | |
| Ossufo Momade | RENAMO | |
| Lutero Simango | MDM | |
| Venâncio Mondlane | PODEMOS | |
| Total | ||
Assembly
[edit]| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| FRELIMO | – | |
| RENAMO | – | |
| Democratic Movement of Mozambique | – | |
| Action Party of the United Movement for Integral Salvation | – | |
| New Democracy | – | |
| Union for Change | – | |
| PODEMOS | – | |
| National Reconciliation Party | – | |
| Patriotic Movement for Democracy | – | |
| Union for Reconciliation Party | – | |
| Greens Party of Mozambique | – | |
| Labour Party | – | |
| National Party of the Mozambican People/CRD | – | |
| Youth Movement for the Restoration of Democracy | – | |
| National Movement for the Recovery of Mozambican Unity | – | |
| Electoral Union | – | |
| Mozambique People's Progress Party | – | |
| Social Renewal Party | – | |
| Ecological Party of Mozambique | – | |
| Party of Freedom and Development | – | |
| Democratic Unity | – | |
| Ecological Party–Land Movement | – | |
| Democratic Justice Party of Mozambique | – | |
| Social Broadening Party of Mozambique | – | |
| National Workers and Peasants Party | – | |
| Democratic Union of Mozambique | – | |
| Total | – | |
Provincial elections
[edit]Conduct
[edit]Polling opened at 07:00 and closed at 18:00.[24] Chapo's rivals alleged instances of fraud such as ballot boxes being unsealed before voting ended and some of their representatives being denied accreditation to monitor the vote.[20]
On 10 October it was revealed that more than 200 polling stations denied journalists and observers access to the vote counting process with the election watchdog group Sala da Paz stating: "There were significant cases of .... electoral irregularities that may raise questions about the credibility of the process."[21] Also on 10 October, Venancio Mondlane declared himself the winner of the election, despite early polls showing Chapo in the lead.[25]
Aftermath
[edit]While counting was underway on 11 October, Venancio Mondlane threatened to launch a nationwide strike if FRELIMO declared victory.[26] That same day, observers from the European Union and the European Parliament demanded that central election authorities release all voting details from all voting places. Despite having the data, the central election authorities have refused to do so.[27] Mondlane later set the strike to begin on 21 October. On 16 October, four people were arrested during a march led by Mondlane in Nampula.[28]
On 14 October, Lutero Simango and the Democratic Movement of Mozambique announced that they would be rejecting any official vote count due to "many irregularities and manipulation" and would be officially challenging the election in court. One of the main issues the MDM have had with the election is one of their voters was arrested without charge in a polling place in Ribáuè. The MDM also announced that they were conducting a parallel vote count which they will release when the official vote is released for comparison.[29]
On 16 October the Attorney General of Mozambique summoned Venâncio Mondlane for violating the Mozambican Constitution, arguing that Mondlane and his supporters performed "electoral offences, irregularities, common crimes and the violation[s] of ethical-electoral norms." Mondlane had claimed victory which the Attorney General classified as "incite[ing] violence, [and] public disorder". Mondlane is also publishing results from his parallel vote count which the attorney general classified as "behavior that violates ethical and electoral principles and norms."[22]
On 17 October Angolan writer José Eduardo Agualusa criticized Venâncio Mondlane for "an attitude of little democratic maturity" and that Mondlane was trying to "subvert the constitution." Agualusa also called on the ruling government to hold Mondlane "accountable for those statements" and that his strong performance, even though he did not win, was “the great revolution” of the current age and as such he needs to be more responsible. Agualusa also said that "Renamo, in fact, is the big loser in this process."[25]
The Mozambican police reported that on election day there where 38 cases of electoral crimes resulting in the arrest of 37 individuals. It also reported 60 electoral offenses resulting in 39 arrests from the period of 24 August to 6 October.[30] On 18 October, Elvino Dias, a lawyer working for PODEMOS, was shot dead in his car along with the party's spokesperson, Paulo Guambe, by unidentified attackers in Maputo.[31] On 21 October, police fired tear gas at Mondlane while he was giving out interviews at the site of Dias and Guambe's murders.[32]
References
[edit]- ^ "Mozambique to Hold Presidential Election Oct. 9 Next Year". Bloomberg. 4 August 2023.
- ^ "Mozambique to Hold General Elections On October 9, Next Year • 360 Mozambique". 360 Mozambique. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ "Mozambique: Presidential, legislative elections scheduled for 9 October 2024". Mozambique. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ "Mozambique: October 9". Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ a b Peyton, Nellie; Mucari, Manuel. "Mozambique ruling party eyes new term as election runs peacefully". Reuters. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Republic of Mozambique: Election for President (President) IFES
- ^ Electoral system IPU
- ^ a b "Mozambique's presidential election: Here's what to know". Africanews. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
- ^ "'We will win!': Mozambique's ruling party confident at final vote rally". France 24. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Fresh faces in Mozambique's poll as independence era leaders bow out". BBC. 6 October 2024. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
- ^ "Mozambique's ruling party names new leader ahead of elections". Africanews. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "Mozambique: MDM elects Lutero Simango as its presidential candidate". Club of Mozambique. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ "Mozambique votes for president and the ruling party could extend its 49 years in power". Associated Press. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ "Mozambique's election: Who's contesting and what's at stake?". Al Jazeera. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ "Venâncio Mondlane não reconhece possível vitória de Daniel Chapo". RFI (in Portuguese). 14 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "O país acorda em suspense: Quem irá liderar Moçambique? – DW – 10/10/2024". dw.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ SAPO. "Moçambique. Podemos admite que Venâncio Mondlane se possa tornar líder do partido". SAPO 24 (in Portuguese). Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "Mozambique headed for crucial elections amid jihadist insurgency and drought-induced hunger". Africanews. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Mozambique headed for crucial elections amid jihadist insurgency and drought-induced hunger". Associated Press. 7 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ a b c "Mozambique counts votes in its presidential election as opposition alleges fraud". Associated Press. 10 October 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ a b Peyton, Nellie. "Mozambique counts votes amid allegations of irregularities". Reuters. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Mozambique Elections: Attorney-General's Office summons Venâncio Mondlane – AIM". clubofmozambique.com. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ Mucari, Manuel. "Mozambique ruling party leads early election results as opposition cries foul". Reuters. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "Mozambique elects new president in tense vote". France 24. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Mozambique Elections: Agualusa criticises Venâncio Mondlane's "lack of democratic maturity"". clubofmozambique.com. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Frelimo's candidate wins in Maputo amid ongoing vote count". Africanews. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Mozambique: CNE Could Publish Individual Polling Station Results Now, And Satisfy EU Demand". allAfrica. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Long-ruling party leads in Mozambique's election as opposition candidate calls for strikes". Associated Press. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
- ^ "Mozambique Elections: MDM will challenge results – Watch". clubofmozambique. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Boechat, Geraldine. "Mozambique: Police recorded 38 electoral offenses, arrested 37 people on voting day". medafricatimes. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "Mozambique rocked by brutal killings of 2 prominent opposition figures soon after disputed election". Associated Press. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ "Police in Mozambique fire tear gas at opposition politician as post-election tensions soar". Associated Press. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
