EU Observers Cite Irregularities in Mozambique Elections
EU Election Observers have raised concerns over irregularities in Mozambique’s election as the country awaits the official results amidst protests and unrest. The EU observer mission, led by Laura Ballarín, reported that some of its 179 observers were blocked from monitoring vote counting in various districts and provinces, and flagged “unjustified alterations” of results at some polling stations.
Ballarín urged electoral bodies to ensure transparency in the tabulation process to uphold the credibility of the results. She emphasized that publishing polling station-level results would help maintain election integrity.
Tensions have flared following the recent killing of two prominent opposition figures, Elvino Dias and Paulo Guambe, who were shot dead last Friday in the capital, Maputo. Dias was an adviser to opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, while Guambe was the spokesperson for the PODEMOS party, which supports Mondlane.
Protests by opposition supporters erupted on Monday, with police using tear gas to disperse crowds. Mondlane has accused the ruling Frelimo party of election rigging and called for nationwide protests. Frelimo’s candidate, Daniel Chapo, is expected to win and extend the party’s 49-year rule.
The U.S. State Department condemned the killings and called for a thorough investigation, urging peaceful resolution of electoral disputes. Official results are expected this week and will be validated by Mozambique’s Constitutional Council after reviewing any disputes raised by political parties.
