Mozambicans are casting their votes today for presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections seen as a test of a recent peace deal between the ruling party and the armed opposition.
President Filipe Nyusi is broadly expected to win a second term, while the main opposition party, Renamo hopes to win more political power, following a peace deal signed between the two civil war rivals in August.
About 13 million voters are registered in the southern African nation, though some observers including former Nigerian president Dr Goodluck Jonathan warn that insecurity might keep some from voting.
Vote counting will start after polls close at 6 pm local time (16:00 GMT) and is expected to continue through the night. Preliminary results are expected on Wednesday.
Former President of Nigeria Dr Goodluck Jonathan was nominated by the African Union (AU) to lead the continental body’s Election Observation Mission to Mozambique’s scheduled October 15 general elections.
In a letter of invitation signed by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AU described Jonathan as a man who is deeply committed to peace and democracy on the continent.
It said: “Given Your Excellency’s vast experience and commitment in promoting democracy and peace on the continent, I would like to invite you to lead the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the Republic of Mozambique.”
We are looking forward to a successful outcome as the good people of Mozambique visit the polling stations across the country today to perform this important civic duty.
GEJ pic.twitter.com/AqIyu83XuB— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) October 15, 2019
As members of the @_AfricanUnion Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to Mozambique general elections, my team and I set out early this morning to witness the opening of the ballot in some polling stations in the capital city Maputo. pic.twitter.com/SJLH0ayDKU
— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) October 15, 2019
Tensions were high in Mozambique on the eve of elections which will likely see President Filipe Nyusi and his ruling Frelimo party maintain their grip on power amid fears the violence that marred the campaign may continue on polling day.
According to local NGO The Centre for Public Integrity, 44 people were killed during the election campaign – most in road accidents and some in a stadium stampede at a pro-Nyusi rally, but seven were murdered.
The United States Embassy warned on Friday of “credible threats” of violence in Nampula, advising US citizens to avoid the northern city. A travel advisory was also issued for Xai-Xai, the capital of Gaza province, where this month the head of local election observation efforts, Anastacio Matavel, was shot dead by a group of special operations police.
“We’ve never had free and fair elections, but these are the worst yet because of the gravity of the violence,” Alice Mabota, a veteran human rights campaigner told Al Jazeera. Mota was running as an independent, backed by the new Democratic Alliance Coalition, but her candidacy was blocked over allegations that some of her nomination signatures were bogus.
The Mozambique electoral says the president is elected using the two-round system and must win an absolute majority to avoid a run-off or second round.
President Felipe Nyusi is the incumbent, who took over from his mentor Armando Guebuza as head of Mozambique in 2014. The country’s first president from the Southern region, Nyusi is struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency in his home region.
It remains to be seen if Frelimo will continue to dominate the politics as it since the southern African country’s independence from Portugal in 1975.
Ossufo Momade, took over the reins of the National Resistance of Mozambique (Renamo) last year, when its historic leader, Afonso Dhlakama’s sudden demise. He signed the peace deal with the government to end the decades-old conflict but is yet to win the full support of the movement’s armed wing.
David Simango, who retired from Renamo in 2009, is contesting the presidency for the third time. Since 2003, Simango has been mayor of the Mozambican city of Beira, ravaged by Cyclone Idai six months ago.
Mario Albinois the outsider of the presidential election, leading the United Movement for Integral Salvation (AMUSI), which was created by former members of Simango’s party.
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