Mozambican economist Roberto Tibana requested, this Monday (28), from the National Electoral Commission (CNE), "the original documents related to the general elections (presidential, legislative and for provincial assemblies) held on October 9, 2024".

According to a Letter from MozambiqueIn his request, Roberto Tibana asks for all the ballot papers deposited in the ballot boxes by all the citizens who went to the polling stations, in the national territory and in the diaspora, the respective electoral rolls, the notices and minutes of the tabulation at the polling stations and polling stations, as well as the notices, minutes and maps of the district, provincial and national centralization, in their original paper form.

"We want to carry out an audit, check everything and recount the votes cast," said the economist, who says he is counting on the MAIS Integridade Consortium for Electoral Observation and the Mozambique Bar Association to complete and assist.

Last Thursday, the National Electoral Commission (CNE) announced the victory of Daniel Chapo, supported by Frelimo, with 70.67% of the votes. Venâncio Mondlane would have come second, with 20.32%. The candidate does not recognize these results, which have yet to be validated and proclaimed by the Constitutional Council.

In third place in the presidential election, according to the CNE, was Ossufo Momade, president of Renamo, with 5.81%, followed by Lutero Simango, president of the MDM, with 3.21%. Ossufo Momade also said that he does not recognize the election results announced and called for the vote to be annulled. Lutero Simango also rejected the results as "forged in the secretariat" and promised "political and legal action" to restore the "will of the people".

Also according to the CNE announcement, Frelimo strengthened its parliamentary majority, from 184 to 195 deputies (out of 250), and elected all 10 of the country's provincial governors. The hitherto extra-parliamentary PODEMOS elected 31 MPs, dethroning Renamo in the leadership of the opposition, as it fell from 60 to 20 MPs. The MDM retained its parliamentary representation, but saw its total number of deputies fall from six to four.

The announcement of the results by the CNE sparked violent protests and clashes with the police in Mozambique, especially in Maputo, by pro-Venâncio Mondlane demonstrators. The 2024 electoral process was also marred by the double murder of two Mondlane supporters, lawyer Elvino Dias and teacher Paulo Guambe, shot dead in an ambush in Maputo on the night of October 18.

(Photo DR)