The Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third party with a parliamentary seat, yesterday accused the government of trying to make the next cycle of elections in Mozambique impossible, criticizing the budget deficit announced by the National Elections Commission (CNE).

"The government is not taking this process seriously, it is calling into question a serious organization and the purposes of the Mozambican people," said Ismael Nhacucue, MDM spokesman, during a press conference in Maputo.

At stake is a deficit of 2.2 billion meticais for the holding of the elections, information recently advanced by the CNE.

For the party, the government intends to "make the process impossible" in order to "not allow the opposition to prepare itself.

"The MDM is concerned about this issue and we should all be concerned," stressed the MDM spokesman quoted by Lusa.

Mozambique begins a new electoral cycle in 2023, with the holding of municipal elections, followed by general elections in 2024 (presidential, legislative, provincial, and possibly district elections).

According to data from the National Elections Commission released in June of this year, Mozambique needed a total of 18.7 billion meticais to cover the next electoral cycle.