Fears of Rigging as Polls Close in Mozambique

Voting ended yesterday evening in Mozambique’s general election after weeks of sporadic violence and accusations of electoral fraud.

The vote is seen as a test of the country’s fragile peace after vicious fighting came to an end between opposition rebels and the ruling Frelimo party in 2016, with a further peace agreement signed in August.

7 polling stations remained closed throughout the day over fears of Islamic militant attacks, although this is 3 less than expected.

The two main opposition parties, Renamo and the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM) have already accused the government of ballot stuffing.  The allegations stem from photographs published online supposedly showing the fraudulent ballot papers.

Felisberto Naife, the director of STAE, the government body in charge of voter registration, has pledged a thorough investigation.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), the European Union and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, all sent electoral observers to Mozambique.

Both SADC and the EU commended the government’s efforts to ensure the election was conducted in a secure and peaceful environment, although not everyone is happy.  

A researcher from the group Human Rights Watch, Zenaido Machado, tweeted on Monday that over 3,000 observers were still waiting for the relevant accreditation that would allow them to do their job.

The incumbent Filipe Nyusi is expected to be returned to office for his second term, although these allegations of fraud will not doubt ensure both civil and legal challenges.