Mozambique’s ruling party wins landslide in disputed poll
Mozambique’s ruling party, Frelimo, has emerged victorious in a contentious election marked by violence, thus extending its 49-year hold on power in the southern African nation, according to official results.
Daniel Chapo, a relatively unknown presidential candidate viewed as a potential agent of change, will take over from Filipe Nyusi, who has served two terms.
At 47, Chapo received 71% of the vote, making him the first president born after the country gained independence in 1975. His nearest rival, Venancio Mondlane, secured 20%.
In his victory speech, Chapo stated, “We remained silent all this time out of respect for the law. We are an organized party that prepares for its victories.”
Following the announcement of the results, violent protests erupted in several towns, resulting in multiple fatalities and a significant police presence in some areas.
The election has been overshadowed by allegations of rigging and the killing of opposition supporters, which have led to protests throughout the country.
Zimbabwe’s President Mnangagwa, who has faced similar accusations of electoral fraud over the years, prematurely congratulated Chapo on his “resounding victory” even before the results were officially released.
Ossufo Momade, the candidate from the former rebel group Renamo, which was once the main opposition party, finished in third place with just 6% of the vote.
Political analyst Tomas Viera Mario told the BBC that Renamo had lost its “historical position” because the 68-year-old Momade failed to engage younger voters.
The announced results surprised many voters, including some members and supporters of Frelimo, particularly due to the scale of the party’s victory.
Fernando Mazanga, the deputy chairperson of the electoral commission appointed by Renamo, stated that the “results are against electoral justice,” asserting that “these results do not represent the reality.”
The electoral commission reported that 43% of the over 17 million registered voters participated in the election.
The presidential vote coincided with parliamentary and provincial elections.
Frelimo secured 195 of the 250 seats in parliament, while the opposition Podemos, which supported Mondlane’s candidacy, won 31 seats, and Renamo gained 20 seats.
Frelimo also claimed victory in all provincial elections.
Following the election results, President Nyusi delivered a jubilant television address to the nation, remarking, “With more than 70% of the votes, I don’t see any teacher failing a student.”
This election was perceived as a pivotal moment for the resource-rich country, which continues to grapple with economic challenges, corruption, and poverty.
Mondlane had called for a national strike on Thursday in protest at the alleged rigging.
He said that the protests would honor his lawyer and a party official who was shot dead last week in what he described as politically motivated killings.
He claimed that he won the election despite preliminary polls showing that Chapo was well ahead.
Mondlane now has until December to contest the results.
On Monday, he organized nationwide demonstrations, which were dispersed by police firing live rounds and tear gas.
The election has also been criticised by EU election observers, who said some results may have been doctored.
They said there were “irregularities during counting and unjustified alteration of election results”.
Political analyst Adriano Nuvunga decried what he called a pattern of fraudulent elections in Mozambique.
The electoral commission has declined to comment on allegations of vote-rigging, according to Reuters.