KEY POINTS
- Mozambique’s national election count is under scrutiny for irregularities.
- Civil society groups are conducting a parallel tally to detect fraud.
- Frelimo is expected to remain in power, despite accusations of rigging.
One day following the national elections in Mozambique, Mozambique’s electoral authorities proceeded with the tabulation of votes on Thursday. Simultaneously, observers from civil society started assembling a separate count to identify any indications of electoral malpractice.
Civil society raises alarm over election irregularities in Mozambique
The nation of Southern Africa held elections on Wednesday, and it is generally anticipated that the ruling Frelimo party would continue to hold power for another 49 years. Since Mozambique gained independence in 1975, Frelimo has been in power. Despite its denials of any misconduct, the party has frequently been accused of manipulating elections.
During the initial vote count, which happened overnight, a few foreign observation missions that were keeping an eye on the election noticed anomalies. Observers questioned the process’s transparency since, according to Sala da Paz, a civil society platform that tracks elections, over 200 polling places barred journalists and election observers from seeing the counting process.
Observers compile parallel vote counts to ensure transparency
Sala da Paz said in a statement, “There were significant cases of electoral irregularities that may raise questions about the credibility of the process,” and it promised to keep a careful eye on any developments.
Requests for comment regarding the alleged anomalies have not yet received a response from Mozambique’s National Election Commission.
In the meantime, staff members of the Centre for Public Integrity in Maputo uploaded pictures of handwritten results sheets that their observers had supplied from polling places in a temporary data lab. The crew created an app that was used to gather, examine, and evaluate the data in real-time.
“This is crucial because historically, fraud has defined the electoral process in Mozambique,” said Analgencio Makamo, a data analyst for the Mais Integridade (“More Integrity”) observation mission, Reuters reported.
Civil society organizations declare that they will keep an eye on the official vote tally in order to guarantee that the election results are legitimate and transparent.
