Mozambique goes to polls

PEACEFUL: NO SERIOUS INCIDENTS REPORTED

Mozambique voted in a general election yesterday hailed by the president as a sign the country was progressing “peacefully”, as fears the poll could be marred by violence proved unwarranted.

The Frelimo party, which has ruled the country since independence from Portugal in 1975, is widely expected to again beat its civil war foe Renamo, a rebel group turned main opposition party.

One of the most violent campaigns in the southern African country’s history had sparked concerns the vote could test a fragile peace deal sealed earlier this year.

But polling stations closed at 6pm without serious incidents, according to local NGOs, although there were some reports of vote tampering.

As he cast his ballot, President Filipe Nyusi, 60, said “Mozambique has chosen to move forward peacefully”, adding that more than more than 4 000 observers had been deployed.

Nyusi is forecast to win a second fiveyear term despite his popularity taking a hit from chronic unrest and a financial crisis linked to alleged state corruption.

“It is clear that Filipe Nyusi will win,” said 34-year-old Frelimo supporter and salesman Jose da Costa after voting.

Ivandro da Costa, a 21-year-old mechanic, agreed. “I think Nyusi will win but the process is not transparent. There is too much corruption in this country,” he said.

Around 13 million of Mozambique’s 30 million citizens were registered to vote in elections for the presidency, parliament and provincial governors.

Vote counting has started and preliminary results are expected to be announced tomorrow.

But with some concerns over irregularities Renamo’s presidential candidate Ossufo Momade, 58, warned that “if these results are manipulated we will never accept them, we do not want a return to the problems of the past”.

After 44 years, Frelimo will see its stranglehold on power loosen due to a deal with Renamo to allow voters to elect provincial governors, who had previously been nominated by the government.